3-Strike Stories: Jerald Craft
Family History:
I am 43. I have a father (age of 75) and a brother (age of 45).
The Strikes:
1. Burglary (plea bargain), 1979, 2 years, #A346908.
2. Robbery (jury), 1981, 8 years, #A365056.
3. Sale of cocaine (jury), 1994, 25 years to life, #LA019921.
The Story:
When I first came out to California, my brother and I stayed with our dad. He really
couldn't watch us that well so I started getting into trouble (runaway, etc.). My brother
asked the cops for help and they put him into a boys home (S.A.I.) in Gardena, CA. I
myself ran wild on the street (and went to school on my own). When the cops found out I
was on my own, they moved me around in homes (in S.A.I. also) and finally I turned 18 and
they let me out of the hall. I went to C.Y.A. twice and after that County jail. I had two
burglaries (one on 1/20/76 and one on 1/31/76), I got a year on both. Then I got a
burglary on 1/12/79 and was sent to prison for two years. Then I got a robbery on 9/24/81
and got 8 years--but I bailed out because I was mad because I really had nothing to do
with this crime and I started robbing anything I could--when I got caught they gave me
three robberies--I got 3 years to run with the 8 I already got.
After that, I quit crime. I only got high from then on. I never thought I'd get 25 to
life for trying to get high.
I tried to get help three times; once I tried to enroll in Cry Help (a drug program)
from the street, but my probation officer told the counselor he would have me arrested if
I got into the program. Twice I tried to get "drug diversion" from the courts,
but they said "no."
If you could look into my "file," you'll see that my "violent or
serious" crimes happened over 13 years ago; and you'll see it was because of my drug
habit. But after I got my robbery sentence in 1982 and then paroled, I never picked up a
gun again! I stopped my violence and serious crime.
I continued to take drugs, but never hurt anyone. I lived on the streets and got high
when I could. I paid for my habit by finding someone who would want to buy it and then
arrange to buy it from someone else and sell it to them--this was how the undercover cop
got me in 1994--I felt I was entrapped--and for only a rock or two, no more! I am not a
drug dealer; I have been a user for the last 10 years--and that's all.
I would very much like to see my dad before he dies. He is now 76. My dad is a
permanently disabled veteran so he cannot come to see me.
Other Comments:
The 3-Strikes law is good for "violent and serious" crimes--but I've done 4
years now and only have met 5 people who are locked up from 3-Strikes who are violent or
serious criminals; but I've already met 120 people who are locked up for 3-Strikes that
are here for drugs or petty crimes only! Most of the 3-Strikers here, had they not been
busted before and these (drugs and petty crimes) would've been their first bust, would all
get only a year or less in County Jail or put into a drug program.
The 3-Strike law needs to be changed or soon everyone will be 3-Strikers in
California.
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reposted without permission of Families to Amend California's 3-Strikes.
Date last modified: 7/5/97.