Case Study

Christopher Hayes: From 24-36 Months to 30 Months with RDAP

25

Reduction in Sentence

RDAP

Acceptance

Focused on Rehabilitation and Community Service

Born in 1985, I grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, staying on track despite family challenges. After graduating high school, I operated my own convenience store and later invested in real estate while working in auto body repairs and trucking. My wife and I worked hard to provide a stable, loving home for our two children.

After a serious business setback, I struggled financially and, in a moment of desperation, provided fraudulent information to the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) on a grant application. This resulted in a $249,000 loss to the federal government, and I later pled guilty to making false statements.

Soon after receiving my target letter, I found White Collar Advice (WCA) through their YouTube videos. I appreciated how WCA clearly laid out what I needed to do, helping me lower my stress and build my confidence. I listened to Justin Paperny share his personal experience as a defendant in the federal system, watching 20 hours of videos before contacting WCA directly.

The writer and I had lengthy discussions about my family background, my unlawful actions, and my personal growth. Larry helped me reflect on my life, bringing out things I had forgotten. The final document was spot-on and prepared me for my Pre-Sentence Interview.

I also talked to their team about how alcohol abuse had negatively impacted my life. The narrative included a frank assessment of my excessive drinking and how I used alcohol to medicate stress. It allowed me to express my deep remorse directly to the judge. In addition to creating my narrative, I participated in community service activities, knowing that I was doing everything I could to help myself.

At the sentencing hearing, the judge stated that he had intended to sentence me to the high end of the guidelines to send a message of deterrence. However, after reading my narrative, he gave me the lower end of the guidelines and recommended me for the Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP). I received a 30-month sentence along with RDAP, which means I might get home sooner than expected.

Taking my case seriously, I spent countless hours preparing for sentencing with WCA’s help. Their process kept me focused on productive activities, like working with Isaiah 5 Ministries. I want to help people make positive changes in their lives and show that if you’re in trouble, accountability and learning from your mistakes are key.

Today, my family is closer than ever, and the future looks bright. At 35, I still have a whole life to live. Justin helped me see that this is just a blip. I’m ready to use my time in jail wisely and come out ready to build a new career. Everything WCA teaches will benefit me when I come out. I can really see what’s important now.