Sabrina Giles
Sentence: 12 years
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute over 50 grams of meth; possession with intent to distribute over 5 grams of meth
Priors: None
Year sentenced: 2004
Age at sentencing: 22
Projected release date: May 22, 2014
Sabrina’s parents fought often during her childhood, and frequently the arguments would lead to physical violence. After Sabrina’s father was incarcerated for trafficking marijuana when she was 10, her parents divorced. Her mother, a motel housekeeper, worked hard to provide for Sabrina. Sabrina’s battle with substance abuse began at age 12 when she started smoking marijuana. In 10th grade she became pregnant and dropped out of school. The father of Sabrina’s child was extremely abusive and is currently incarcerated.
When Sabrina was 19 she fell in love with a man 13 years her senior. He was a methamphetamine dealer in New Mexico and introduced the drug to Sabrina. The man had already been confronted by the Pecos Valley Drug Task Force for dealing drugs on several occasions. On April 30, 2002, police officers went to Sabrina’s home to arrest the man—he had been living with her since his release from jail three days earlier. Moments before police took him into custody; the man placed 0.79 grams of methamphetamine into Sabrina’s waistband as he hugged her. The police confiscated it, along with 49.95 grams of methamphetamine, 21.1 grams of marijuana, a handgun in the kitchen drawer, and her boyfriend’s drug ledger. Sabrina, a single mother, kept the gun for protection. Police arrested Sabrina along with her boyfriend. She pled guilty and was sentenced to a term of 12 years.
Sabrina was held accountable for between 500 grams and 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine. Though the sentencing guidelines proscribed a term of 70 to 87 months in prison, the charges against Sabrina carry a ten year mandatory minimum. The government was going to charge Sabrina with a five-year mandatory minimum for the handgun, but agreed to a plea bargain of 12 years in federal prison. Sabrina, a minor participant in the offense with no criminal record, received just three years less than her boyfriend, a drug dealer who had had many run-ins with the law.
Sabrina’s probation officer took into account the detrimental impact her incarceration would have on her family and asked the Court for mercy:
[T]he Court could consider a downward departure based on extraordinary family ties and responsibilities. The defendant has a four-year-old daughter who is currently in the custody of the defendant’s mother. However, there is a concern that the defendant’s mother may not be able to care for the child for the length of time the defendant could be imprisoned. Although the child does have her father, he is currently an absconder from parole supervision. The defendant was gainfully employed and providing financial support for her daughter prior to her arrest. In addition, the defendant has no prior arrests or convictions and 144 months is an extensive period of time for the defendant’s child to be away from her mother.
During her incarceration, Sabrina has dedicated herself to turning her life around. She works hard at her prison job and maintains a positive attitude. Sabrina’s mother currently cares for Sabrina’s young daughter and is very supportive of Sabrina.