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Honoring Veterans Incarcerated for Cannabis Offenses: A Veterans Day Reflection

Stephen Post • November 11, 2024

On Veterans Day, we pay tribute to the men and women who have served our country, celebrating their bravery and sacrifices. However, this day is also a poignant reminder that some veterans continue to suffer behind bars due to outdated cannabis laws. Many of these veterans were sentenced to harsh prison terms for non-violent cannabis-related offenses, even as cannabis becomes increasingly legalized across the country. Last Prisoner Project (LPP) remains dedicated to advocating for the release and rehabilitation of these veterans, who have given so much to our nation and now need our support in return. Today, we share the stories of a few veterans who are still fighting for their freedom, underscoring the need for systemic change and a more just approach to cannabis policy.


Kristopher Fetter: A Veteran Who Deserves Another Chance


Kristopher Fetter, 37, served six years in the Army before being convicted for possession with intent to distribute hashish in New York. His non-violent offense occurred in 2022 when he was 35, and he pled guilty. On October 3, 2023, Kristopher was sentenced to 58 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Despite his conviction, Kristopher has shown remorse and made efforts to better himself during his time behind bars. His family speaks highly of his loving and supportive nature, and those who work with him on a daily basis describe him as an honest, hardworking individual who deserves another chance at life. LPP is committed to assisting Kristopher upon his release, offering financial support, housing assistance, and job readiness programs to help him reintegrate into society. His story is one of growth, acceptance of responsibility, and a plea for mercy.


Brent Crawford: A Father Separated From His Children


Brent Crawford, now 41, served six years in the Air Force and was convicted for a victimless cannabis offense. In 2022, Brent was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison, plus eight years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute over 100 kilograms of marijuana. Currently incarcerated in Kentucky, Brent is not expected to be released until 2037. During his time in prison, Brent has dedicated himself to self-improvement, earning multiple degrees, tutoring fellow inmates, and advocating for the release of others incarcerated for cannabis offenses. Despite missing out on valuable moments with his four children, Brent remains resilient, focused on his education and advocacy work. His case highlights the ongoing injustice faced by so many veterans caught in the war on drugs.


Deshawn Reilly: A Marine Fighting for Freedom


Deshawn Reilly, 46, served eight years in the Marines and is now serving a 17-year sentence for cannabis-related offenses in Georgia. With an additional five years of supervised release upon his eventual release, Deshawn is not expected to be free until 2029. His story is one of deep family ties and personal responsibility, as he has accepted his crime and worked to improve himself during his incarceration. Deshawn’s family describes him as a loving and supportive man who, despite his conviction, has shown great strength and remorse. His story calls for a reevaluation of the justice system's approach to non-violent cannabis offenses, particularly when it involves those who served their country with honor.


Send a letter to President Bident urging him to release them before his term ends.


Robert Deals: A Retired Air Force Veteran Seeking Justice


Robert Deals, 57, is a retired Air Force veteran who served for 11 years and developed PTSD as a result of his military service. Robert has been incarcerated for 12 years of an 18-year sentence for cannabis-related offenses in Arizona. His sentence is a stark reminder of the brokenness of the justice system, as Robert, who served his country faithfully, now sits behind bars for a non-violent offense. His case also highlights the struggles that veterans face when returning home from combat—often dealing with mental health issues like PTSD, which can lead to misguided decisions that are punished harshly. Despite these challenges, Robert remains hopeful for the future and continues to advocate for justice reform. Robert is currently in the process of a hopeful appeal of his sentence given new arguments.


Help us continue to advocate to #FreeRobertDeals via a commutation by Gov. Katie Hobbs by sending a letter today.


The Fight for Freedom Continues


These veterans, each with their own unique story, remind us that the fight for justice is not just about freeing individuals, but about ensuring that those who served our country are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. These men, many of whom have sacrificed for our freedoms, now find themselves incarcerated for cannabis-related offenses that are increasingly recognized as unjust.


At Last Prisoner Project, we are committed to advocating for their release, providing them with reentry support, and pushing for legislative reforms that will prevent others from enduring similar fates. The journey of these veterans shows us the deep scars left by outdated policies and the need for a broader societal shift toward fairness and rehabilitation.


On this Veterans Day, as we honor those who have served in the military, we must also recognize that justice has yet to be fully served for some of our veterans. We stand with these men and continue to fight for their freedom. As Robert Deals poignantly says, "For it’s not just a plant but lives at stake, families broken, future’s part of the take. It’s time for change, for laws to align, With justice, sense, and a sign of the times."


Join the fight for cannabis clemency at www.cannabisclemency.org!

VA Governor Youngkin Vetoes Cannabis Resentencing Bill That Would Have Freed Thousands, But Approves Cannabis Record Relief

By Stephen Post • March 25, 2025
It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Governor Youngkin has once again vetoed a critical cannabis justice bill. Despite overwhelming support from Virginia’s General Assembly, the governor has chosen to deny relief to thousands of individuals who remain incarcerated or under state supervision for cannabis-related offenses—convictions tied to laws that have since changed. Last year, Youngkin vetoed a similar bill designed by Last Prisoner Project (LPP), denying potential freedom to more than 1,844 people. This year, the legislature advanced two key bills aimed at providing relief. HB 2555 would have created a sentence modification process for individuals still impacted by outdated cannabis laws. Instead of signing this measure into law, Youngkin has once again chosen to uphold the injustices of the past. Luckily, the other bill, SB 1466, which will streamline state-initiated expungements for cannabis offenses, sealing ancillary records such as probation violations and failures to appear related to past cannabis charges, was approved by Gov. Youngkin, but will be sent back to the legislature with amendments. The Commonwealth should be concerned that the Governor admits cannabis is both the cause of and contribution to thousands of individual's criminal sentences but it is unwilling to adopt a solution to prioritize relief while preserving a commitment to public safety by vesting oversight throughout the process. The governor's office ultimately approved record relief for certain cannabis convictions, but for those behind bars, this administration has once again failed to deliver lasting change. LPP has been at the forefront of the fight for justice in Virginia. Our Director of Policy, Adrian Rocha, provided testimony in support of these bills, underscoring the urgent need to right the wrongs of cannabis prohibition. Additionally, LPP's Director of Advocacy, Stephanie Shepard, who herself served time for a cannabis offense, penned a powerful op-ed in Virginia emphasizing the necessity of these reforms and the human toll of continued incarceration. Virginia ended cannabis prohibition in 2021, yet many remain incarcerated for offenses that are no longer crimes. The Virginia Department of Corrections reports an average annual cost of $33,994 per incarcerated individual, while Virginia has generated over $8 million in tax revenue from medical marijuana as of 2023. HB 2555 was a crucial step toward justice—one the Governor has now denied. The governor’s decision ignores the will of the people and the reality that cannabis reform is not only necessary but overwhelmingly popular. Polling shows that 84% of registered voters support releasing individuals incarcerated for offenses that are no longer illegal. With each veto, Youngkin chooses to leave families separated and lives needlessly disrupted, all while Virginia’s legal cannabis industry continues to grow and generate revenue. We want to extend our deepest gratitude to the advocates and organizations who have fought tirelessly for justice, including Marijuana Justice Virginia, Nolef Turns, the Virginia NAACP, NORML, the Virginia Student Power Network, The New Majority Virginia, and Rise for Youth. While this veto is a setback, it is not the end. The fight for cannabis justice continues, and LPP remains committed to ensuring that no one is left behind. We will not stop until every cannabis prisoner is free.

LPP Welcomes Norm Reimer to our Board of Directors

By Stephen Post • March 20, 2025
As we reflect on our first five years of impact at the Last Prisoner Project, we are thrilled to share an exciting new development: Norman L. Reimer has joined our Board of Directors! Norm is a transformational leader in the fight for justice and he will play a key role in shaping our vision for reuniting families, rebuilding lives, and reimagining drug policy. Norm Reimer has devoted his career to the defense of the accused and reform of the justice system. As a criminal defense attorney, he has represented accused individuals at the trial and appellate level and in state and federal courts for four decades. As a reformer, he leads efforts to reform misguided policies and practices that fuel mass incarceration, overcriminalization, and disparate impact. Norman’s noteworthy achievements include co-founding the John Adams Project in partnership with the American Civil Liberties Union to provide attorneys trained in capital defense to represent the accused in the military commission proceedings at Guantanamo Bay, and leading a collaboration among several groups during the Obama administration to establish Clemency Project 2014, a cadre of volunteer lawyers, which secured the commutation of long federal prison sentences for 894 individuals, including more than 300 who were serving life sentences. Norm is currently Of Counsel at Vladeck, Raskin & Clark, P.C. , where he continues his criminal defense work. His previous positions include serving as Executive Director of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, CEO of Fair Trials, and President of the New York County Lawyers’ Association. He also served as an Adjunct Law Professor at New York Law School, where he taught trial practice. Norman earned his B.A. and J.D. from New York University.

LPP Calls on USSC to Enact Further Drug Sentencing Reform and Supervised Release Changes

By Stephen Post • March 11, 2025
The Last Prisoner Project (LPP) has submitted a formal comment to the U.S. Sentencing Commission (USSC), advocating for critical changes to federal drug sentencing guidelines and supervised release policies. LPP’s recommendations aim to reduce overly punitive sentencing practices, promote rehabilitation, and improve public safety. Reforming Supervised Release LPP supports proposed amendments granting courts greater discretion in imposing and modifying supervised release. Overly rigid supervision can create unnecessary barriers to successful reintegration, increasing the likelihood of recidivism. Key recommendations include: Individualized assessments : Courts should tailor supervised release terms to the specific needs of each individual. Elimination of unnecessary supervision : LPP urges the removal of mandatory supervised release requirements when not explicitly required by statute. Early termination of supervision : Encouraging courts to assess whether continued supervision is necessary after one year, reducing unnecessary burdens on individuals and the justice system. Reducing Drug Sentences LPP also calls for major reforms to the Drug Quantity Table, advocating for reductions in base offense levels across all substances, with additional reductions for cannabis and psychedelics due to their increasing medical recognition and evolving legal status. Lowering the highest base offense level to 30 (or lower) : Research consistently shows long prison sentences do not improve public safety and can actually increase recidivism. Proportional reductions across all drug types : Harsh sentencing has not been an effective deterrent, and a more balanced approach is needed. Additional reductions for cannabis and psychedelics : Given their lower risk profiles and medical potential, sentences for these substances should be significantly reduced. Addressing Low-Level Drug Offenses LPP supports a six-level sentence reduction for individuals convicted of low-level trafficking roles. Many involved in minor drug-related offenses are individuals with limited economic opportunities, and excessive sentences do little to address the root causes of their involvement. Retroactive Application of Sentencing Reforms Currently, approximately 63,000 people are serving federal sentences for drug-related offenses, many under outdated guidelines. LPP urges the Commission to apply any sentencing reductions retroactively, allowing individuals already incarcerated to benefit from these long-overdue reforms. LPP commends the USSC for considering these reforms and urges them to take bold action. By implementing these changes, the Commission can help reduce mass incarceration, promote fairness, and allocate resources toward more effective public safety strategies.
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