Monica Clyburn

#19092-018
 
Federal Sentence: 15 years mandatory minimum
Offense: ACCA
Court: Middle District of Florida
Priors: Several drug convictions involving no more than $20 worth of crack at a time
Date of Sentencing: 2/12/1996
Date of Birth: 2/8/1969
Projected Release Date: 11/25/2008
 
Nature of Offense: Monica was trying to get her life back together after being caught selling three $20 rocks of cocaine to an undercover officer.   It was three years later, she was pregnant, and she and her boyfriend had no money and a lot of bills to pay.  They decided to sell his pistol and a pawnshop offered them $30.  Her boyfriend didn’t have any identification so Monica left her thumbprint and signed the pawn slip.  She didn’t realize that signing a piece of paper was enough to be considered a “felon in possession of a firearm.”  She says, “I never even held the gun.” 
 
A federal agent told Monica that she could avoid an indictment by helping the government set up drug deals in her hometown of Sarasota, Florida.  She refused.  She told the St. Petersburg Times, “Everyone knew me from my past with drugs.  Everyone knew my mother and my kids.  If I cooperated and left my kids and family out there, who knows what they would do to my family while I’m in prison?”
 
Judge’s Remarks: The Honorable Ralph W. Nimmons, Jr. said at sentencing, “…this is a lady who started using crack cocaine at an early age, was addicted to it.  And I don’t have any evidence before me that she was a big dealer.  In fact, I think it’s tragic in this case.  This is a terrible situation.”
 
Personal Background: Monica has four children who live 200 miles away from her prison.  Monica will be forty years old when she is released, at a cost to taxpayers of $330,000. 
 
Complied from inmate information, sentencing transcripts, and the St. Petersburg Times.
6/5/98 dl; revised 3/21/05