Thank you for "Time Out for Justice." It's time the public learned about
the draconian sentences being give to nonviolent first-time drug offenders
in the U.S. while true criminals are free to walk the streets.

I am one of your horror stories, a first-time nonviolent offender who is
serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole, convicted of
conspiracy to possess and intent to distribute cocaine.

Unlike my traitorous friend who turned out to be an FBI informant I had
nothing to offer the government, so I was given life. But a life sentence
wasn't enough. The government came with a civil forfeiture against my
assets, and I had to agree to a 50-50 split or I would have lost it all.

Before my arrest I was employed as a commercial pilot by Eastern Airlines
and had never been in trouble with the law.

I do not have answers, but I know that something is very wrong with our
justice system when people who could be productive, tax-paying members
of society are in prison for life while cold-blooded murders are on their
way home.

David Correa
Coleman, Florida