This is part of a letter I wrote to a defense attorney who worked on my case. The power of writing letters is something I discovered in prison.
Its Scott Carper. I had to track you down. I actually sent you a handwritten letter from Leavenworth prison camp but I sent it to your old office (so I was told it came back, I just got the envelope…. it was weird).
Over the past 11 months spent in incarceration, I’ve had ample time to contemplate and understand the complexities of my situation. Acknowledging the undeniable challenge of facing a federal trial (and hoping to win), I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for your unwavering dedication and hard work on my case. The 24-month sentence I received stands as a gift when compared to the potential consequences I could have faced.
Throughout this entire ordeal, a part of my frustration stemmed from the desire for others to see me as the remarkable person I once was, before painkillers became a significant part of my life. The truth is, I hadn’t been the “old Scott Carper” since my early thirties.
Moreover, I acknowledge that there might have been a disconnect between us, and perhaps I failed to communicate effectively or understand the best strategies for my situation. Regardless, I recognize that handling my case was an immense challenge, given the difficulty in explaining my actions, which I admit were profoundly foolish (How do you explain someone doing something so stupid?).
As for any association with methamphetamine, I maintain my denial, but I take full responsibility for being in Mexico, attempting to illegally acquire painkillers (which if you recall originally I was pretty defiant about everything). This entire predicament is entirely my own doing, and whether people believe me or not is inconsequential now; I served my time as a result of my actions.
I have since been released and currently reside in Sacramento (After home confinement I’m going back to SoCal). During my time in confinement, I made efforts to better myself. I enrolled in RDAP, (1800 miles away in Kansas), and assumed the position of Core Chair, akin to the RDAP president for the inmates. Additionally, I completed a year-long paralegal program in half the time with a commendable 96% grade. I took on teaching roles, covering subjects from negotiation techniques to re-entry release plans, and utilized my limited legal knowledge to assist fellow inmates with various legal matters, including wills, divorces, child custody, and appeals. I take immense pride in having contributed to reducing the sentences of numerous inmates by almost 20 years collectively. I wrote a weekly blog on my experience at Leavenworth (61 of them…You are actually referenced in some of the early ones…NOT BY NAME). They actually ended up becoming pretty popular & spurred some opportunities. The blogs and my story are all on a site I created (scottycarper.com) so I stopped having to explain to everyone how stupid I was (and my crime).
Since my release, I’ve re-entered the field of advertising and embarked on consulting roles for multiple companies under the “White Collar advice/Earning Freedom” banner. My work involves advocating for individuals impacted by the justice system.
I took the liberty of updating Judge Bencivengo on my progress through several letters. Additionally, I couldn’t help but address Ms. Perez’s misquotation of Mark Twain In her closing argument (“you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything.” – it’s a quote people think Twain invented but he didn’t). Its the little things that piss me off.
Ultimately, I write this letter to extend my heartfelt thanks for your diligent efforts. I regret the delay in expressing my gratitude. Congrats on the new firm…. I hold no doubt that you will rise as an unstoppable force in your field someday.
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Scotty Carper
AGE Advertising
Cell (310) 940 – 9087
