Weldon Angelos — before his long-term jail stint
Oct 23, 2016 — Weldon was selected to speak on a panel with Senator Mike Lee at the SXSW music and film festival in March where he will talk about how the entertainment industry can help reform our criminal justice system.
Weldon Angelos, Founder – Extravagant Records
Weldon Angelos was in the midst of a budding music career, working with and producing records for legendary musicians such as Snoop Dogg and Tupac Shakur’s hip-hop group when he was convicted of marijuana offenses in 2003 and sentenced to 55 years in federal prison. Angelos’ judge called the sentence absurd and excessive and, joined by hundreds for former government officials, members of Congress, celebrities, and prominent activists nation-wide, began advocating for presidential clemency. After serving nearly 13 years in federal prison, Angelos was finally released in May 2016 after President Obama took action to secure his release. Angelos is the father of two teenage sons and a daughter and lives in Sandy, Utah. While in prison, he earned 80 college course credits, completed a dental technician training program, and began writing a book describing his experiences in the music industry and the legal system. He is a speaker and advocate for mandatory minimum sentencing reform.
http://schedule.sxsw.com/speakers/832013
Lisa Angelos
Sandy, UT
https://www.change.org/p/president-obama-commutation-for-weldon-angelos-55-years-for-marijuana/
For a video on Mr. Angelos:
http://famm.org/weldon-angelos/
Additional information from this site:
Weldon was indicted on 20 charges that carried a minimum sentence of 105 years. At trial, the jury convicted Weldon of 13 drug, firearm, and money laundering charges, as well as three counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Two of the three counts of possession of a firearm resulted from the gun he allegedly carried during the buys with the CI. The third count stemmed from a handgun found in a bag in Weldon’s home. Although one charge was dismissed and he was acquitted of three others, Weldon was sentenced to a mandatory 55 years in federal prison.
Weldon’s sentencing provoked unprecedented public outcry. Twenty nine former judges and prosecutors filed a ‘friend of the court’ brief beseeching Weldon’s sentencing judge to declare the sentence unconstitutional. At sentencing, Judge Paul G. Cassell called Weldon’s punishment “unjust, cruel, and even irrational,” comparing it to much shorter federal sentences given to repeat child rapists and airplane hijackers. Judge Cassell wrote a 67-page opinion urging President Bush to commute Weldon’s sentence to 18 years or less. Unfortunately, none of these efforts proved fruitful.
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Norm Adams and Julie Robertson Are Nominated for a Grammy
Hey FB Family! I have a MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT!! I am BEYOND EXCITED to share that Julia Robertson and I are officially in consideration for a GRAMMY AWARD in the category of Best R&B Performance for “Body Rush”!! Last night, after our performance at the 2nd Annual Breast Cancer Fundraiser DMochelle Fashions Magazine, we were presented with a very special plaque to commemorate the honor! There are no words to describe how thrilled we are, and how blessed we feel for God’s favor!
Now, to be clear, there is still another round of voting before the final five “nominees” are announced in December. However, we made it past the initial round, and into round two, which gives me tremendous hope! Regardless of the outcome however, this is reaffirms for me the importance of never giving up and staying the course, because dreams don’t have deadlines!
I know this is a lengthy post, but I would be remiss if I didn’t publicly thank some very special people, without whom this amazing honor would not have come to be; Grammy nominating member Stephen Wrench of Musik and Film Records; my awesome “Body Rush” songwriting partners and producers Ric Zivic and Ted Wender; Keri D. Singleton, Eugene Napoleon, Jakima Dyson, Carlos Dyson, Gregory Turner and of course, the most incredible duet partner ever, the lovely and talented Julia Robertson!
Finally, a tremendous THANK YOU to ALL OF YOU for your love and support in purchasing the song, requesting it at radio (and the DJs for playing it), coming out to see us perform live, and continually encouraging us with your comments on Facebook! We are humbled by your kindness. WE’RE IN THE RUNNING FOR A GRAMMY, BABY!!! YEEEESSSSS!!!!!
#FeelTheGrammyRush
#DreamsDontHaveDeadlines
Posted by Ric Zivik on Facebook, 10/23/16