Pedro Moreno – LIFE FOR POT

Please sign Pedro’s change.org petition. 

Name: Pedro “Pete” Moreno #71498-079
DOB: Jan. 8 1960
Race: Hispanic
Marital Status: widowed.
Age: 63
Children: 5
Grandchildren: 4
State raised: Texas
State charged: Texas
Will live: Roma, Texas
Charge: Conspiracy with intent to distribute 1000 kilograms of marijuana, money laundering
Sentence: LIFE
Served to date: 27
Started Sentence on: Nov 19, 1996
Priors: NONE
Prison Conduct: Excellent
Clemency status: Pending Case # C298646
Supporters: Municipal Judge Livia P. Muniz, CAN-DO, family, Freedom Grow
Institution:  Pedro Moreno #71498-079 U.S. Penitentiary, P.O. Box 019001  Atwater, CA 95301

Accomplishments: Degree in welding, taken many courses (long list) and worked in UNICOR, Unit Orderly

Extraordinary facts: My four brothers, Lazaro, Eduardo, Cesar and Luis received clemency on January 17, 2016. We were all convicted for the same charges and in the same indictment. We were all first time offenders and I hope President Trump will give me the same consideration and mercy as my brothers received from President Obama. Moreover Ricardo Riojas, who was also my co-defendant was released on compassionate release on 2/10/2021 so I am the only remaining participant still in prison in the drug conspiracy, despite that I’m a first offender who pled guilty. 

According to Pete:  Updated: 11/2/2022

The main reason I am seeking clemency is because I want to reunite with my children and grandchildren. When I was arrested my children were 10, 8, and 2 years old. I have not been able to see my children grow up, as I have always been incarcerated thousands of miles away throughout my incarceration, making it almost impossible for them visit me. This has been extremely hard on my family. It breaks my heart to know that my children have needed me their entire life. Anyone in the community can testify that I was always very close to my wife and children. I wasn’t there when they needed me the most; holidays, birthdays, graduations, weddings, sacraments, and the births of my grandchildren. I was not able to walk my daughter down the aisle or sadly burry my wife who passed at the age of 46. (She was also charged and convicted as a co-conspirator in this same case) Although my spirit has been injured, having been passed over for mercy in the past, I continue with hopes and prayers that I will be given a chance to be a father and grandfather to our children, and make up for so much lost time.

I take full responsibility for my participation and actions in this case. I can also say with pride that my behavior and life in prison has always been exemplary as my records will show. Being a first time offender, I was scared and overwhelmed. My lawyer at the time advised me to accept a quick plea and told me that I would not receive a sentence over 20 years. I followed his advice but in hindsight, I don’t understand how I ended up with a life sentence after accepting responsibility for my participation in the conspiracy for which I regret. I didn’t even get a reduction based on being a first offender.  Even still, I’m doing all I can to make amends for my illicit behavior and will continue to do so as long as I live. 

During the past 26 years I have participated and completed many educational courses that have prepared me, God willing for my release. I come from a big family of hard working community leaders that will give me an opportunity to work and give back of what is expected of me, an honest, hard working citizen of the community.

There are no words to express the remorse I feel every day for the wrong path I took that has caused so much suffering. I pray that President Biden will have mercy on me while considering my plea for clemency.  Nothing would make me happier than to lift the heavy blanket of sadness I have placed upon my family.  I yearn to deliver good news so that my family can rejoice and celebrate again, as a whole family. My daughter is going to have another child soon and I’d love to be there to enjoy the joys of being a grandfather. I have not been able to bond properly with– so that we can start a new chapter.  I will do everything in my power to heal the pain I’ve caused 

 

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