I joined the United States Air Force at eighteen, following in my father’s footsteps as an Army veteran. My service took me from Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska to Langley Air Force Base in Virginia, and eventually to Tallil Airbase in Iraq. There, I survived mortar attacks, locusts, floods, and a dust storm. I left the USAF in 2006 with the rank of Staff Sergeant and joined the Solid Rock Pentecostal Church, where I married another USAF veteran.

In 2012, I began working for the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs as a purchasing agent. Around the same time, I was diagnosed with PTSD related to my service in Iraq. Unfortunately, I later used my government credit card to buy medical equipment, which I sold for personal gain. In August 2021, I accepted full responsibility for my actions and pled guilty in federal court.

When my case began, I found Michael Santos’s Prison Professors videos on YouTube. Michael’s practical, informed advice about navigating the federal justice system as a defendant gave me a strong sense of direction. He taught me that preparation is paramount and that not every attorney is a sentencing mitigation expert.

I contacted White Collar Advice (WCA) on the day I received my draft Pre-Sentence Report. From the first consultation, everyone I spoke with was extremely helpful and understanding. Anytime I reached out to him, they answered or called back soon. Justin has been wonderful throughout this process.

Working with WCA, I prepared my personal narrative. They were great and very responsive. The process was straightforward, and the letter was on point. Denise Nunley helped my family members draft character reference letters, taking the stress away when she spoke to my mother and in-laws. Her work was a real blessing.

At my sentencing, I was prepared for a sentence of 46-57 months. The judge spoke positively about my mitigation work, particularly the character reference letters. He said, “Very rarely have I seen the quality of letters I received on your behalf. They were remarkable.” The judge also praised my personal narrative for giving him a better understanding of my story. Thankfully, he handed down a sentence of 27 months, about half of what I had expected. Sam also advised me on my prison designation, and the judge recommended me for the Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP).

I reached out for help from a lawyer, a trauma specialist, and my pastor. I took responsibility for breaking the law and for the pain I caused my family. As I look ahead, I plan to get back into real estate and build a successful business the right way. For individuals going through the justice system, WCA provides expert guidance, personal encouragement, and skilled mitigation support.

WCA gave me comprehensive help and lots of good information. I went from fear and uncertainty to being informed and prepared. Now I have a clear plan for when I get to prison and for when I get out. A million percent, yes, I would recommend WCA to anyone in a similar situation.