Susana Cruz
14 Years
Conspiracy in relation to cocaine trafficking;
Distribution and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute;
Maintaining places for drug distribution; Interstate travel in
aid of drug trafficking
My name is Susana Cruz. I am 52 years old with four children
and two grandchildren. I have lived in the United States for
the past twenty-one years and have worked honorably, paying and
filing my taxes year after 
year.
Today I am serving a 14-year prison sentence at FCI Dublin, California.
My story begins with Juan Valdez O Indalicino Marin. I met him
at a party in early September of 1997. We became friends, then
began an intimate relationship which led to me being unjustly
accused of involvement in a drug business.
On an early morning in October 1998, the FBI came to my apartment
with an arrest warrant. The FBI told me that they wanted to conduct
an interview with me; I was not under arrest, and when the interview
was over, I would be able to return to my residence.
They searched my apartment and found nothing illegal, then took
me to what I assumed was an interrogation center in Los Angeles.
The next thing I knew I was being transported to the state of
Alaska where I was charged with a drug conspiracy.
I have never traveled to any place or state to commit any crime.
I never witnessed any illegal activities of which my boyfriend
was accused. We never lived together. He visited the apartment,
and occasionally spent the night with me, but we did not share
a home.
I went to trial thinking the government of the United States
was fair and just. Instead of justice, the government created
lies, and accused me of a drug conspiracy without having any
evidence. They used informants to speak against me to save themselves
from their crimes with reduced sentences, which they all took
advantage of and received.
I gave my court appointed attorney substantial proof of my whereabouts
on the days the drug activity was supposed to have happened.
I have my employer's statements showing that I was at work, and
could not possibly be in two places at once. Although my attorney
had this information and other information, he never presented
it at trial or during my sentencing. He failed to submit crucial
information to my case and did not defend me.
In the judgement the district attorney stated that he believed
informants over me. My attorney told me that the district attorney
was a very nice man, and if I cooperated with him and gave him
the information needed to convict my boyfriend, things would
go well for me.
I asked him what kind of information they needed or wanted. A
few days passed, and the district attorney sent another message
through my attorney; this time he said that all charges against
me would be dropped, and he would send me to a halfway house
if I pled guilty.
I did not plead guilty because I am innocent and believed in
the American way, in American justice.
Now, with help from God, I have been able to withstand this horrible
experience. What has kept me from going crazy is thinking of
the pain and suffering my family and children are going through,
and how it has affected them. I do not want to make matters worse
for them, and so I endure this time..jpg)
The injustice of the government corruption destroys many other
families besides my own. Innocent people who have never been
in trouble with the law are serving outrageous sentences.
Due to my unfortunate destiny of becoming involved with a charming
man, my whole life has changed. This whole situation has destroyed
my life, the lives of my children and relatives. My youngest
grandchild was born since I have been incarcerated, and I don't
even know her. I have not yet been able to see her. My whole
desire is to keep myself together until I am able to reunite
with my family. The prison where I am held is so far from my
family that they cannot visit regularly. Someday I would like
to be able to see my grandchildren grow up.
Susana Cruz 14352-112
FCI Dublin Unit C
5701 8th St Camp Parks
Dublin, CA 94568
Back to the Wall
Next Prisoner of
the War on Drugs
