Leslie Jaramillo

Sentence: 10 years
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine
Priors: Hawaii state convictions for four second degree drug offenses.
Year of sentencing: 2006
Age at sentencing: 32
Projected release date: July 10, 2013 

Raised in an environment of violence and drug abuse, Leslie was introduced to methamphetamine at a young age. She was soon addicted and selling small amounts of the drug to friends in her small Hawaii town. Leslie spent her life savings caring for her boyfriend after a motorcycle accident left him quadriplegic and lost her home as a result. After being kicked out of several apartments for failing to make rent, Leslie plunged deeper into substance abuse.

In 2001, officers searched the residence Leslie shared with her boyfriend and found marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine and cash. In 2002, Leslie was caught with small amounts of drugs and drug paraphernalia in her possession. She received a six-month jail term and probation.  In 2003, Leslie tested positive for drug use while on probation. Almost seven months pregnant at the time, Leslie gave birth while incarcerated. She was released after three months in a comprehensive drug treatment program.
 
Determined to turn her life around, Leslie secured employment and began working with foster care services to reunite with her children. Unfortunately, most of Leslie’s family remained heavily involved in methamphetamine. Leslie’s cousin, in particular, was a known drug dealer in the area. Leslie soon began using meth again but maintained her full-time job.
 
Unbeknownst to Leslie, her cousin was under police surveillance for selling drugs. In August 2004, officers recorded a phone conversation in which Leslie’s cousin offered her an ounce of methamphetamine. In exchange, Leslie agreed to rent a hotel room for him using her credit card. She was arrested several weeks later.
 
Leslie pled guilty and was held accountable for the ounce of methamphetamine that was mentioned over the phone. Though she never possessed the drugs, Leslie was sentenced to a ten-year mandatory minimum. Her cousin, the dealer who was the actual target of the investigation, received 11 ½ years.
 
Since her incarceration, Leslie has completed drug treatment programs and achieved sobriety. She is earning a college degree through correspondence courses and participates regularly in bible studies. Leslie is employed at the call center in prison and plays on the softball team in her free time. Leslie’s five children have been deeply impacted by her absence; her two older children live with friends and the three youngest children reside with Leslie’s mother, who cares for them with the help of public assistance.