Congrats to Donald Fugitt and his family, especially mom Carla Lunceford who called and was overjoyed that
her son, Donald finally got his 1/2 house date – June 1st – here he comes.  More families being reunited is a blessing and something we celebrate while praying for others to come home!

Name: Donald Fugitt, #21978-078
Race: White
DOB:  5-17-1984
Age:  38
Children: Three children, 2 girls ages 19 & 15, and a boy age 9
Raised: Commerce, Texas
Tried: Eastern District of Texas
Will Live: Commerce, Texas
Charge– Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Marijuana
Year Arrested 2013
Year Sentenced 2015
Priors: DWI 2011
Sentence: 11 years
Release Date:  02/29/2024
Current Federal Prison: FCI Oakdale II, 2105 E. Whatley Rd. Oakdale, LA 71436

Courses Completed: However, Donald has taken all the classes the BOP has offered which include: Brave program @ FCI Victorville California Spanish vocabulary, Stock market, Health fairs, Several Leather and arts classes, Non-profit organization class, Parenting, Anger management, Classic literature, Basic debating class, Commercial driver’s license.

Health issues: Donald was born with one lung smaller than the other and one lung was damaged due to a car wreck. Donald applied for a compassionate release and in our view qualified, but his Judge denied the motion during the height of the Covid 19 lockdowns.

According to Donald:  I am truly so sorry for the choices I made to land myself in prison, however my sentence of over 15 years for my role in a conspiracy to possess with the Intent to Distribute Marijuana is hefty.  I never dreamed when I went to court, I would be given such a long sentence.  My attorney didn’t fight for me even though he agreed my role in the enterprise didn’t deserve the lengthy federal minimum mandatory sentence.  Regardless, I take total responsibility for the wrong choices I made in the past and prison has made me have a different outlook on life.  I always tried to stay positive, enjoy life, and see the good in everything over the years I have spent in prison because I now understand how precious life is.  I was always so close with my children; my son was born only a few months before I was incarcerated.  Their mother left them two years after my incarceration because she didn’t want to raise them alone.  She took them to my mother and never look back.  It was a total shock especially since we had been together since high school and had endured so much together.  When their mom left them a couple of years ago it saddened me so much for my kids, not only because I was gone, but the heartache of losing both parents and the trauma it inflicted upon them. That said, my mother is an amazing woman who has raised my children and been my rock throughout this difficult separation.   It is unfortunate things ended up this way, but I will never take my freedom for granted again.

Donald believes he deserves clemency:  When I return to society, I have a job waiting for me working with my mother in her family business, I will work with my family and rebuild my life with my kids.  My long-term goal is to use my CDL and drive a semi-truck so I can make a good living and give back to society.   I would also like to mentor young men who are at risk of prison, because if I can help them from making mistakes that will destroy lives that is what I want to do.

Donald’s mom Carla wanted to add: “When Donald was arrested and given so many years for a marijuana charge it truly tore his family apart.  His girlfriend of over 13 years couldn’t take care of three kids alone, since Donald was such a big part of their lives, it put her over the edge.  His children have gone through so much loss the years in losing their mom. I have raised his two girls who are 19 and 16, and his youngest son who is now 9, lives with my daughter (Donald’s sister).  Although we are a very close family and the children see each other often the loss they suffered from losing their dad, mom, and then being separated from each other is more than any child should ever have to bear.  As his mother I have mourned every birthday, holiday, and special occasion that Donald has missed with his family.  It’s impossible to accept the length of time he was sentenced as being acceptable when cannabis dispensaries were considered an “essential business” during the COVID-19 lockdowns.”