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Couple’s Mandatory Prison Time Cut From 15 To 3 Years For Drug Trafficking
February 25, 2013
A Walnut Hill man and his wife sentenced in 2009 to a mandatory 15 years in state prison for drug trafficking have had their mandatory sentence cut to only three years.
In June 2009, it took an Escambia County jury just 50 minutes to convict the Stephen Eugene Freeman, 43, and his wife Monica Lassitter Freeman, 40, on the trafficking charges involving 14 to 28 grams of hydrocodone.
Both Freemans filed a motion alleging that they had ineffective counsel during their trials, “essentially claiming that their lawyers did a poor job”, according to Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille, asking the judge to set aside their convictions.
“They made substantial allegations that would have been very difficult to refute,” Marcille said. “If their motion was granted, it would mean a new trial.”
Prosecutors were unable to locate the confidential informant that testified against the Freemans in 2009, Marcille said, making it near impossible to prove without question the number of pills sold. For that reason, the State Attorney’s Office negotiated the charges against both Freemans down from trafficking 14 to 28 grams to trafficking in more than four but less than 14 grams — which carries a much shorter minimum mandatory sentence — in order to avoid a new trial.
Monica Freeman was sentenced on the lesser charge to 69 months in state prison with a minimum mandatory of three years with credit for 214 days plus time served in prison since her conviction. Stephen Freeman was sentenced to 60 months in state prison with a three year minimum mandatory with credit for 81 days plus time served in state prison since his conviction. The court did not rule on the ineffectiveness of the Freeman’s lawyers.
The Freemans were originally arrested by Escambia County Sheriff’s Deputies on June 4, 2008, following an undercover operation in which deputies discovered prescription Lortab and other pills in the couple’s home on Garrett Road in Walnut Hill.
Pictured: Monica and Stephen Freeman as seen in their 2008 Escambia County Jail booking photos (below) and their most current Florida Department of Corrections photos (above).
Comments
35 Responses to “Couple’s Mandatory Prison Time Cut From 15 To 3 Years For Drug Trafficking”
Yep, good mom and great person.
That’s why she was dealing drugs.
Only thing missing: Draino
David finding flexible definitions
of “good” and “great”
Monica is a good Mom! She’s a great person I’m so glad that she’s coming home where she belongs. I have been praying for her to come home to her kids. It will soon be over for her and Steve and they can pick up and go on with their life’s with their family. Monica I love you and can wait to have you back home where u belong . I’ll always be here for you . Take care of yourself and I’ll see you when you get home .
Praise God! I have never stopped praying for them and their children and families. I am so happy that they won’t have to stay in that horrid place much longer! I hope they know that I am still a friend and will stand by them. I was there when she was baptised and I know that the Holy Spirit was there! I pray that they will let God help them make a new life…He can make all things new and nothing is impossible! Halleleujah!!
There can always be something BEAUTIFUL out of something ugly!!
To angels…THIS MAN AND HIS CHOOSE TO DO WHAT THEY DID…
Leave the family alone. I hope u never have to deal with this in your family!! Kathy, you keep standing up for your brother. I remember your family from when we were kids. Bad things can happen to a good family and you will get through this!! Praying for yall!
I will say every one does things they shouldn’t . You would be surprised who does what just under your nose… you never hear of them cause they just never get caught. It’s sad that yes drugs gets the best of good people., but that’s where choice comes in and some just make the wrong one.
I will say time has done Steve well, not too good to her. hope they still love and care the same for each other when they do get out for their kids sake.
Never give up,William. She’ll get it eventually.
David for persistence
“the very 1st sentence states the sentence was cut to 3 years. i am just simply saying he has already served almost 4 years…..”
The first sentence says “mandatory sentence cut to only three years” He was sentenced to 60 months, her to 69 months with a minimum mandatory of 3 years.
Even though he has served four years, he *might not get out until he has served 60 months (5 years). That would be up to the parole board, credit for good behavior, whatever else. Same with her, except 69 months.
the very 1st sentence states the sentence was cut to 3 years. i am just simply saying he has already served almost 4 years…..
>>yes, she was sentenced to 69 months, but Steve was sentenced to 60 months
Which is what the story says.
yes, she was sentenced to 69 months, but Steve was sentenced to 60 months.
>>>Just for the record….they were sentenced to 60 months
Not according to the Clerk of the Court records. The sentences above are correct…she was sentenced to 69 months.
YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY CAN NOT WAIT TO GET YOU HOME! WE MISS EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU!
Just for the record….they were sentenced to 60 months and this June will be 4 years served. I know Steve has worked with the mainteance group the entire time he has been incarcerated.
WE WELCOME YOU HOME WITH OPEN ARMS! WE LOVE YOU VERY MUCH! YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY CAN NOT WAIT TO GET YOU HOME!
Good people can make bad mistakes!
This man was raised by two fine parents.
This man was a productive citizen in this community.
This man has a good soul and a giving heart.
(He who is without sin, cast your stone.
Everyone else, thank you for your prayers).
Please continue to hold these two along with their loved ones up in your prayers.
“Angels un-aware watching over you”
God Bless!
My goodness, I didn’t even recognize Monica from that top pic, I used to work with her about 12 years ago. She’s a very sweet person and I just don’t see how she could have deserved 15 years. She’s had a few problems through the years, but who hasn’t?
I won’t comment on Steve as I don’t know him.
Glad to see that they are coming home….!
Thanks Selena and all that know them for your kind comments! I just wished that God would have made more people perfect on this earth that has never took a “drug” for pain! They made a mistake, learned from it and now to start a new life! ENOUGH said is correct!!!
About time the punishment fits the crime. I’ve seen murderers get less time. Justice system is so unbalanced in this county.
You are right tennelle. It will be good to have home
I am glad to see you come home.
To itslikethis: I don’t like to take meds., but I have had to take some @ 1 x or another, never stayed on them, my daughter has had to take them @ 1x, but we never once sold any of them, so I will say you have a choice in life, it’s no ones fault but their own whether they did it or not, I don’t know &don’t care, but if they didn’t they should not have told anyone bout them that way they wouldn’t have been snitched on, or have anybody to rob them, if you can’t trust someone to keep their mouths shut don’t tell them, when my daughter was sent home with hers, my husband was on ph. with someone when nurse came in & started telling me, I told her to let him get off first because we should have been able to trust that person but I knew they would blab & next thing you know everybody knows or my house would have been broken into. The only x a dr. should be held accountable is when you keep going back.
Hmmmm… Sat up by who, Cindy? As for forced rehab– you have to want to be clean before that works… parents? What example have they set for their children? Drugs and dealers are evil to me. Enough said. At least they did have to serve some time…
Finally! Justice has been served! 15 years for a few pills and we are constantly seeing meth labs and those people getting a slap on the hand! Cannot wait to welcome them home! Keep on mind they have children, mothers, and other family members!
So happy for them & their family!
Well, he’s bulked up in jail. They must have a good work out program. It sounds like they were set up by a snitch. This country needs to recognize the epidemic of addiction & the things people will do, to feed it. In Europe, instead of jail; you get forced rehab & they have reduced their number of drug related arrests.
good for them…
We live in very difficult times and if a person can pay $40 dollars for a prescription that some quack writes them and turn around and make $500 then you will never get it under control. Supply and demand at its best. Glad to see they didnt get the book thrown at them in the end while other people on this site beat women and get a slap on the wrist.
@ Jason
Finally “their” kids get “their” parents back…….hopefully the parents will appreciate the fact of a new start and become productive citizens to provide for “their” kids in a healthy environment.
Glad to see them coming home. 15 years was for 2 pill and they were sat up?
Nice couples don’t deal drugs!
Finally thair kids get thair parents back.
Whats sad is the original sentence was thrown out. These days nobody gets the punishment they deserve. This country is going down fast.
So sad. They seem like a nice couple.