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You are here: Home / Uncategorized / First Step Act

First Step Act

July 15, 2019 By Suzi Voyles

First Step Act

Matthew Charles, a Tennessee man jailed in Kentucky, was one of the first prisoners released under a sweeping criminal justice reform law recently signed by President Donald J. Trump. Matthew Charles, a former drug dealer and convict was released thanks to his exemplary behavior and changes in US law.

Childhood was rough for Matthew Charles and his brothers and sisters. His family lived in cramped public housing in North Carolina, and his father was violent with Matthew and his brothers. Matthew got out of the chaos as soon as he could, joining the Army at age 18.

When he was discharged, though, it seemed he hadn’t really left any of that dysfunction and hopelessness behind him, and he started dealing drugs. What followed was nearly a decade during which he was, in his own words, a “dangerous criminal.” He spent about five years in prison.

At age 30, he was arrested for selling 216 grams of crack cocaine to an informant and illegally possessing a gun. He was given a 35-year sentence. At his sentencing in 1996, the judge described him as “a danger to society who should simply be off the streets.”

There would be few people who would disagree. But then something happened.

In prison, Matthew could easily have crawled deeper into his shell of anger. But he didn’t. In fact, for the next two decades, Matthew didn’t receive a single disciplinary infraction. His prison life was directed at what the judge who resentenced him all those years later called “exemplary rehabilitation.” He immersed himself in Bible studies. He became a regular at the law library — but not just to work on his own case. He helped illiterate prisoners understand the letters they received from the courts, and he drafted filings for them. He took college courses and became a law clerk. And most important, Matthew became “genuinely repentant of his life before encountering the Grace of Christ, not offering empty excuses about his past, but taking ownership,” as a pastor would later describe him.
In 2013, Matthew applied for a sentence modification because the Sentencing Commission had retroactively lowered guideline ranges for drug offenses. At his re-sentencing hearing, Judge Kevin Sharp commended his rehabilitation and reduced Matthew’s sentence.

Matthew left prison in 2016. He didn’t have much to call his own at that point, but the positive outlook that he’d honed over decades behind bars helped him gain traction. He moved to Nashville, got a job as a driver, reconnected with his family, volunteered weekly at a food pantry called the Little Pantry That Could, and became deeply involved in his church. His boss praised his work as “meticulous,” and at the food pantry, the director said that Matthew was “one of the most amiable and friendly participants we have ever had.”

But after a year and half of freedom, the court reversed the reduction in sentence, citing an error in his release. Remarkably, Matthew was sent back to prison. He was determined to keep bitterness at bay, but going back to prison was incredibly difficult for Matthew—and many people felt the same way. A local reporter told his sad story, and celebrities and advocacy groups threw their support to his cause, hoping he might receive executive clemency.

In the end, though, it was the First Step Act that saved Matthew from decades more behind bars. Signed into law by President Trump December 21, 2018, the bill includes a provision to apply the Fair Sentencing Act retroactively, which the government agreed would allow for Matthew’s immediate release.

On January 3, 2019, he left prison. A man of few words, he nonetheless has many smiles, especially for the people who supported him after his return to prison and championed the legislation that released him for the second time. He has thrown himself into advocacy and giving God all the glory.

 

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Faith and Freedom Coalition of Georgia Action Center

Road To Majority 2019

June 4, 2019 By Suzi Voyles

Road to MajorityThe Faith and Freedom Coalition’s Road to Majority 2019 conference was held June 26-29 in Washington, DC at the Omni Shoreham Hotel. This year’s speakers included President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

The Faith and Freedom Coalition “Road to Majority” conference is the premier national event for people of faith and conservative activists. Over 2,000 grassroots activists from across the country gathered in Washington, DC for Road To Majority 2019. Attendees left Road To Majority better prepared and energized to mobilize voters of faith to bring about a pro-family majority in Washington and in their states through training for voter registration and voter education campaigns, get-out-the-vote, lobbying, media relations, building a precinct organization, and utilizing social media. President Trump spoke to attendees. Check out this video of his remarks:

 

 

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Welcome to Faith and Freedom Coalition of Georgia

We believe that the greatness of America lies not in the federal government but in the character of our people — the simple virtues of faith, hard work, marriage, family, personal responsibility, and helping the least among us.

Never before has it been more critical for us to speak out for these values. That is why the Faith and Freedom Coalition is committed to educating, equipping, and mobilizing people of faith and like-minded individuals to be effective citizens.

Influence Public Policy

Together we will influence public policy and enact legislation that strengthens families, promotes time-honored values, protects the dignity of life and marriage, lowers the tax burden on small business and families, and requires government to tighten its belt and live within its means.

Our Leader

Meet the Executive Director of the Georgia Faith and Freedom Coalition, Adam Pipkin.  Read about Adam here. 

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