Nerika Jenkins
Sentenced to 19 Years, 6 Months
Crack Cocaine Conspiracy
Prior to September 1996 I was living a normal life, working
for two health care agencies and attending Suffolk Community
College in Brentwood, New York until one day, when DEA followed
me to school, 
identified themselves
and arrested me on the college grounds. After my arrest, I was
let out on bond, continued working and attending school, successfully
receiving my Associates in Science on June 1, 1997.
The trial was held in the Western District of Virginia and in
July of 1997, after two days of deliberation I and two co-defendants
were found guilty. On October 27, 1997, I was sentenced by the
same senior judge who sat in during trial. My case consisted
of 18 co-conspirators; 14 received plea bargains, and are home
or close to it. My mandatory release date is October 2014, which
means that I would have served 19 years, 6 months.
According to the government, I was the 'Ring Leader's' girlfriend.
Due to my unwillingness to cooperate with the government officials,
the prosecutor painted an image of me at trial as "Head
Lieutenant" that controlled millions of dollars. Where's
the money?
It is ironic that the government indicated that 'the master mind'
of this whole conspiracy, my daughter's father, received a life
sentence, but after appealing his sentence and winning, he will
be home in 2003. Another girlfriend he had is home after almost
4 years served. She cooperated with the government by manipulating
and fabricating evidence.
I was only guilty of being the mother of his child and being
with him longer than his other girlfriend who testified to this
fact. No evidence was presented at trial to prove my guilt besides
the government witnesses testimony and two Western Union money
receipts. I have filed almost every motion that was applicable
and to no avail.
My mother and my step-father are both working middle class people.
Although, separated they have collaborated and put out over $18,000
in legal fees. I'm at my last resort for justice and I'm hoping
that by the grace of god the mandatory minimum guidelines will
be modified in the near future. Change must take place within
the judiciary system to help women in similar situations.
I'm presently incarcerated at the FCI in Danbury, Connecticut,
where I've been for approximately four years. I have completed
a number of college courses, graduating on May 16, 2001 and received
a certificate for completing 30 credits in Legal Research and
Business Applications. I have reflected on the choices that I
made in the past and during my five years of incarceration. I've
learned from my mistakes.
I'm a mother of a 10-year-old daughter whose named is Secoya.
Secoya is presently with my mother Iralee, who is a single parent.
My mother has been raising her since my incarceration.
I decided to do the paperwork and put in for a Clemency. Even
though it may have been too late, I went ahead and did it anyway
with the encouragement of my mother and a few inmates whom told
me it's never too late. "Your paperwork may be one of the
last he signs," the inmates said. "Nothing beats a
try but a failure." I received a response from the pardon
attorney telling me my clemency was denied on March 26, 2002.
I'm not the only that is dealing with this current situation
- more than 80% of the women incarcerated are here because of
their boyfriends. The majority of the women played a minor role
in the offense and received the same amount of time as myself,
with some receiving more. I pray that with our new President
in office, he will make some changes in the judiciary system
starting with the mandatory minimum sentence. The sentencing
guidelines are just too harsh for minor participants, and a change
must come.
Nerika was released in Summer 2008 due to the United States
Sentencing Commission's crack sentence reform.
Back to the Wall
Next Prisoner of
the War on Drugs
