Over the course of three months in 2015, PenPals.Buzz member Trent Bouhdida sold undercover officer Ronald Elcock (call me Kev) a total of one ounce of marijuana. Eight months later, he was arrested by two U.S. Marshalls, while attempting to drive his wife (who had recently given birth) to a job interview. He never made it to the job interview, but he did make it to the county jail. And after two mistrials, and a relentless prosecution, Arizona prosecutors finally found a jury who would convict him. Bouhdida received over 16 years in state prison for selling what is, in most states, completely legal. Why would Arizona undercover officers devote months of time to bust a law-abiding 21-year-old father who had a 3-month-old son and was working full time in customer service? Why not go after people committing real crimes? And how is it possible that any judge in any court in any state in America could ever sentence someone to 16 years for selling an ounce of weed, and be able to sleep well at night? Shocking, right? But perhaps the most remarkable part of this story is Trent's resilience and positive attitude throughout this ordeal. Listen as Big Steve and Daisy interview Trent Bouhdida, via telephone from his prison in Arizona, and learn why he feels his lengthy prison sentence has changed his life for the better.
In 1998, Benjamin Alverson was sentenced to 22 months in prison. He completed his sentence, paid his debt to society, and at the turn...
The Prison Pen Pal Podcast explores all aspects of prison inmates and their pen pals. Thinking of writing a prisoner? Already have a loved...
Thanksgiving in prison is a plate full of mixed emotions. On one hand, there's excitement with the special holiday meal (often including real turkey,...
