Their Stories

Nonna Y’s Story as written by her:

My indictment started by mail.  On August 25, 2012, I received an indictment in my mail box; at first I read the sender’s name.  It read “United States Marshall,” with their address for Oakland, California, Northern District.  I was too afraid to open the letter.  My husband, Leo, who had been standing next to me, opened it and began to read it.  My heart sand into my stomach and I became panicked and stressed along with anxious.  I was afraid of not knowing what or why.  I called the number inside, got all the information I needed, and within one week I went to meet with a Federal Public Defender who, from there, took over my case.

He explained why I was being indicted.  My counts were “False Statements in Acquisition of Firearms,” “Sale of Firearms,” four counts because over a period since 2009, I had purchased firearms in my name, but let my brother take them.  He always felt he needed protection and would come to me for the help because we were very close.  I always tried to take care of my brother even when we were little kids.  I just didn’t want my brother being hurt, knowing at one point he was robbed at gun point while in his car with his two children, who were small at the time.

What I didn’t know, was that these guns that I got over a period of time were being passed out in the streets and random people were being caught with them, or houses raided where these guns, which were in my name, were at.

With my level, no criminal history, and the number of guns involved, I was at a D level, which put me at so many points, which got lowered for other reasons so I went from getting 24 months to 12 months and 1 day.  That was decided by the judge.  I did an open plea, and put it all in the judge’s hands.  I accepted it because it is what it is.

In the meantime, while all of this was taking place, with all of the court hearings, my own family was coming apart.  I spent a lot of time with my  husband, our adult children, and our grandson who was 3 years old at the time.  He turned four just eighteen days before I self-surrendered.

I self-surrendered on April 22, 2013 to: Satellite Prison Camp Victorville for Women.  It is known to all as FCI Medium II.  I have now been here 7 months and it’s been both hard on me and my family.  The pain and heartaches I have caused my husband, adult children and especially my grandson.  He asks for me a lot.  He went from spending days and weekends with me to not seeing me  at all and tells his mom, that I have been gone for “100 minutes.”  My daughter is suffering melt downs.  She and I are close.  My youngest is doing okay.  My husband is suffering a lot.  He has lost a lot of weight and not healthy.  He works out but tells me he needs me.  He told me when I had to leave he feels like he’s doing time also.  He says I am the matriarch of the family and I am needed and wanted at home.

We were always hoping that the judge with give me probation instead of prison time because I have never been in trouble.  All I did was stay home and spend time with my family and grandson.

I leave this place December 3, 2013 to a halfway house, never to return to any prison ever again.

Nonna Y

P.S.

My feelings went from anger, because my brother was passing the guns out, to sadness, because the guns were out there.  I had no idea what they were being used for.  Then from sadness to hurt at being betrayed by my brother.  I felt embarrassed and guilty knowing this would never have been if I had never purchased the guns.  I take responsibility for my actions.  I have caused my family and extended family  hurt and pain in their hearts, but they love me unconditionally and are my biggest support group spiritually, mentally, and financially since I have been in prison.  Even though my brother himself is serving his own sentence because of his case, which is separate from mine, he still continues to express how sorry he is that he got me into this situation and how sorry he is for taking my kindness for weakness.  I forgive him.  He’s my brother and I love him, but I would never put myself in this type of situation again.  Not for anyone……ever.