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Drivers License: I will obtain my drivers license from the Drivers License Office
Drivers License Office
831 Elm St.
Fayetteville, N.C. 28303
910-484-6249
High School Diploma: Douglas Byrd High School
VA Card: I will obtain a copy of my card from the Fayetteville VA Health Center
Fayetteville VA Health Center
7300 Raeford Rd
Fayetteville N.C. 28304
910-488-2120
Birth Certificate: Copy in file
Social Security Card: I will obtain my Social Security Card from the Social Security Administration
Social Security Administration
145 Rowan St
Fayetteville, N.C. 28303
(800) 772-1213
Insurance: I will obtain Insurance benefits from Parks Insurance Agency; such as zero-cost health plans, free physicals, prescription coverage for new and prior medications, mental health counseling, doctor and hospital visits, recovery treatment, and all pre-existing health conditions will be covered
Parks Insurance Agency
153 S. Oakland Ave
Rock Hill, SC 29730
866-932-7200
https://parkinsured.com/
Background
I grew up in a strict, but very loving household. I am deeply ashamed because of the actions that led me to my incarceration because my parents didn’t raise me to be a man to commit any violence, or engage in criminal activities. I was raised to represent my family in a positive manner, to care and protect my mother, sisters, and my loved ones, all while my father, who gave over 20 years of service to the U.S. Military, was away on various deployments and training mission. My mother and I are extremely close. She is my very best friend. My dad, well, he is my hero. I watched him intently as a child leave everyday in his maroon beret and I knew in that moment, all I wanted to be was a soldier just like him. Be a protector. Everything he did, I emulated. I’d even wear his boots and tromp around the house like a miniature GI joe. While he was away in the gulf war, I took being the man of the house, and protecting my mother and sister, very seriously. That was just how I was raised. To always watch out for those I care for.
My unit team will present to you reports and documents to describe my confining offense, yet I felt in my heart, that I need to provide you with a bit of insight, to represent and reveal to you, who I am, as a human being.
I grew up in a few places. I was born in Killeen, Texas and grew up between there, Fayetteville, North Carolina; Ludwigsburg Germany; and Weaver Alabama. I moved around every few years. As a young child I had to constantly adjust and adapt to new places and new customs and new people. It was really difficult for me to have to uproot constantly. As soon as I was finally getting used to my friends and my school life I was building I had to leave. But, I took it in stride, because my dad always said, “Son, you’re a Lesesne, and you’re strong. Keep hope alive!” And I took that with me everywhere I went and into every journey I took, whether physical or emotional.
I had some trouble for a time in school. I had lived in Germany where the crime and violence was virtually nonexistent. We didn’t have to lock our doors and everyone knew each other and watched out for each other; as did the people in Weaver Alabama. It was a small town, one stop light, two schools. The Elementary school was comprised of Kindergarten through sixth grade and the High school, seventh through twelfth grade. There were about 500 students total. Moving back to Fayetteville was a whole new experience to me. Over a thousand students and the city had a level of violence I wasn’t accustomed to. It was more diverse and it was inner city. So, I skipped school a time or two. My father, a firm disciplinarian made me enroll in Kittrell Job Corp. He impressed upon the importance of being a productive young man and the importance of a good education. I wasn’t a bad kid, I just avoided the street life and violence and they mistook my truancy for rebellion when I was just scared of my own people. I didn’t know how to express to my parent that I wasn’t feeling safe. Throughout my life I’ve never sold or been into drugs, gangs, or indulged in the criminal lifestyle. I wanted more for myself, because I was taught to be more and want more.
I thrived in Job Corp, learning vocations such as Retails sales and Certified Nursing assistance. I obtained my GED, enrolled in the High School Diploma class, graduated, and enrolled in Vance Granville Community College for Criminal Justice for a year. But I became very homesick. I returned home and volunteered to work with my mother at Primary Care plus, an urgent care clinic, as a Medical Records Technician. There, I began to love the medical field and decided to join the U.S. Army to become a Combat Medic. I’m very ashamed to say that is where my journey ended due to me committing this crime and being incarcerated in Germany. But I have set goals to seek redemption and once again find a career that I am passionate about and help others, because I believe wholeheartedly that is my calling.
My Conviction
On the night of January 21st, 2007, myself, Valerie and my best friend Jannorris attended several after hour spots. During the course of that time we partied and drank and danced until unexpectedly I ran into one of Valerie’s ex-boyfriends and was drawn into a verbal altercation. The conflict was diffused with the help of friends and members of the prospective parties that were involuntarily drawn into the incident, since they were in accompaniment. After the issues were resolved Valerie’s ex-boyfriend bought us drinks and we began to dance. Shortly after, I began to go in and out of consciousness. I stumbled outside and and my friend Jannorris came to check on me and we hailed a cab and we all went back to my apartment. When I became conscious, we were at my apartment, and then I blacked out, and regained consciousness in another cab on the way to Thompkins Barracks where Valerie resided. Upon arrival she went to shower and change and I passed out onto the couch. The event that happened next we blurry. I awoke to a sharp jerky motion. I’d been stabbed, but I was unaware of that fact until later, what I do remember is being in a physical confrontation with Larry Thomas with no knowledge that I’d stabbed Valerie or her roommate Jamie. I was unaware of why he was attacking me. I didn’t know he was protecting Valerie and Jamie. I fought to loosen myself from the tussle and ran away from him and out of the building into the night where I ran and ran until I fell from the overpass and rolled down a hill. I was in and out a great deal that night.
The next morning, I awoke in a small village some miles away from Thompkins Barracks, In clothes that weren’t mine, they smelled of trash. I began limping down the road unaware of my location and shortly after I was apprehended by German Politzei. Hours later, I was relinquished into the custody of the Military Police. Some time later I was informed that Valerie had succumbed to her injurie’s and died. In the midst of not knowing and fully comprehending my actions of the previous night, I understand the gravity of my crimes, the actions and role I played in it. I took full responsibility for my actions.
I was tried by Military Court Martial, where I pleaded guilty to Unpremeditated Murder. I also realize that I am more than the crime I committed. And I am dedicated to reconciling with society. I think about my actions every day. I continue each day with the pursuit to make amends for the emotional and financial damage and loss I’ve caused the families of my victims by educating myself and programming, going to therapy and contributing back to society by teaching and mentoring others about the consequence of committing violence and how to overcome it. I’ve read books along with the classes that I’ve taken so that I may identify and understand the victim’s and the survivors because I sincerely want to make things right.
Community Support
To show my community and family support, I offer the following letters for my Unit team to consider. I intend to release to my parents house, work and save money in order to purchase my own residence within a year of release. My parents home is located at the following address:
Reginald and Betsy Lesesne
7324 Hyannis Dr.
Fayetteville, N.C. 28304
My parents live in a retirement neighborhood, with former and current military and law enforcement, Pastors, Career long medical professionals, and Tradesmen. It will be an excellent place for me to recalibrate and rehabilitate. The following letters show that I have their support.
Risk and Needs Assessment
There are 13 factors the BOP measures that can influence my criminal behaviors:
1. Anger/hostility: N
2. Antisocial peers: N
3. Cognitions: N
4. Dyslexia: N
5. Education: N
6. Family/Parenting: N
7. Finance/Poverty: Y
8. Medical: Y
9. Mental Health: N
10. Recreation/Leisure/Fitness: N
11. Substance abuse: N
12. Trauma: N
13. Work: N
My current recidivism level is: Minimum
I plan to address my Finance/Poverty need when the next class at Education is offered.
Release Plan
Mario A. Lesesne
99498555
FCI Williamsburg
Release Plan
As I began to research how I could create a more adequate release plan than my prior attempts. I acquired a several books; “Reentering Your Community- A Handbook” from the Reentry Department, which is sponsored by the BOP website and “Release Plan 2024 Guidebook” by Michael G. Santos. Both books were very informative and emphasized the importance of building a good release plan.
In Mr. Santos’s newsletter he made this statement, “People used to advise the best way to serve time was to forget about the world outside and just focus on the adjustment inside. That made sense if a person wanted to live the rest of his life inside.” Mr. Santos went on to later say that, “We all must choose how we will adjust to the challenges and obstacles that accompany confinement. Some people are locked inside for a few months, while others are inside for a few years and others a few decades. People should remember that it’s never too early or too late to begin preparing for success upon release.
That resonated with me greatly, and gave me more inspiration while developing this release plan. I created this release plan in preparation of my future parole/clemency board and to also help prepare for my return to society. After reading various literature and doing research to create this plan, I fully realized that that remorse alone cannot make amends for my crime. As a young child, my mother preached and stressed the principle of faith without works. That stuck with me. It gave the motivation and commitment to try to make every day a productive day during my incarceration, so I may achieve my goal of returning to society and strengthening my relationship with my family and my son.
I developed this release plan to account for my actions, achieve my short term/long term goals while incarcerated and to successfully prepare for reentry to society. Updating my release plan will also be a continuous process as I achieve the goals I’ve set for myself.
Identifying Information
Name: My name is Mario A. Lesesne, 99498555
Date of birth: I was born August 31st, 1980 and I’m 44 years old.
Sentence Length: COL James Pohl, Military Judge, from the Fifth Judicial Circuit, sentence me to serve a sentence of 1188 months
Surrender date and Location: January 22, 2007; Mannheim Germany
My community phone number: (910) 391-5730
My community email: BLesesne40@yahoo.com
Making Amends
I would like to first express my apologies to the Gamboa, Kaskowitz, and Thomas families for all of the grief, pain, and suffering I have inflicted. I accept responsibility and the full weight of my actions. I am truly sorry and deeply remorseful for my hand in their pain and loss.
I think about my actions every single day. Its a burden I carry with me and it gives me unwavering motivations to rectify my actions and seek repentance. I understand I was sentenced to be punished for my crime, to deter others from committing crimes and to rehabilitate myself and give me full comprehension of my actions and prevent me from committing another crime.
I have a responsibility to work diligently, each day, to make things right. In efforts to do so, while I serve my sentence, I plan to make amends by following the guidance and directives set by the BOP, participating in programs, educating myself with ACE (Adult continuing education) and self-directed classes, and becoming a rational thinker and more mindful person. I have every intention of becoming a better, more productive person and return to my community as a law-abiding citizen, a leader, a mentor, and a role model. I’ve failed the Army, my son, my parents, family/friends and my community. And I have made a vow to spend every waking day to learning new tools to make things right.
I made the decision to rehabilitate myself because I realized it wasn’t solely about me. It started with me, but it continued outwards towards my community, the state, and the country. We don’t think about how our actions affect everyone else. I fell subject to that line of thinking. But through therapy I came to the realization that my actions do reach out and affect other people, more than I could have imagined. In my Victim Impact course, I learned it’s called the “Ripple Effect.” I also learned that through this effect what the homicide victims/survivors deal with and face such as: Death notifications; Identification of the body; Funeral arrangements; The media; and reactions to the murder and unsolved cases.
I was compelled by the shame and the guilt to educate myself more as a preventative measure to never recidivate again. I needed to understand the weight of my actions on others. While at an appointment, in Psychology one day, I picked up a book called “How to go on living when someone you loves dies” by Therese A. Rando, Ph. D. It covered five areas: Learn about grief; Grieving different forms of death; Grieving and your family; Resolving your grief; and Getting additional help. I chose to focus on the sections that covered “Sudden death vs. Anticipated death and The Loss of a Child” so I may better understand what I perpetuated on the families of my victims.
I read that most people get the wrong information from their core support groups and place unrealistic and inappropriate expectations on them. The author goes on to express the differences in losses, such as: loss of spouse; loss of child; and loss of family and friends. Some of the pain they experience from those losses are more intense and more difficult to del with. Reason being is the lifestyle changes in our communities. Hundred of years ago, communities were tight knit and offered more emotional and spiritual support. The living standards were higher, people lived in tribes and villages and everyone raised the children and took care of the old and sick and help you mourn your losses. And that lack of support can make loss much more difficult to accept and deal with.
Lastly, I learned the impact of sudden death. It is describes as devastating, because there isn’t any way to prepare for it. And the victims grief persist longer because there isn’t any time to absorb the gravity of the situation. The author stated the Parent-child relationship is unlike any other because it’s more demanding of time and energy. It’s also harder to lose, and its more precious than the others. Guilt is the most prominent feature in their grief, as well as separation pain. Grievers also suffer extreme feelings of anxiety, bewilderment, depression and self-reproach.
With the help of my Unit team, my Work Supervisors in the Psychology Department, and my family support system, I hope to accomplish all the goals I’ve set forth to make amends for my wrongdoings. I hope I can be an example and help other Adults in custody advance in their recovery journey. I’ve been given a great privilege and a wonderful platform to do so, working in Psychology services as a Peer Support Cadre. I’m able to help people in need, daily. I have the opportunity to teach classes that are geared towards addiction recovery, and talk to people who just need to be heard. Also volunteering in Education and Reentry has been a rewarding experience, because I will be assisting others on how to navigate the new Reentry Kiosk sponsored by Fair Shake; a National Web-based Reentry Resource center. It’s been put in place to help Adults in custody who return to society within three years or less and supplies them with all the tools they may need. Teaching Parenting has helped me become a wiser father, and given me tools on how to try to reestablish a loving relationship with my son, when I return home and can physically be around him. Even though I teach, I also learn from others in the class, through the process of an open forum where we divulge our experiences and stories about our our interactions with our kids.
I humbly ask you to consider the immense amount of efforts I’ve put forth daily to make amends in the pursuit of restitution for the pain I have caused my victims and their families. I have lived with a tremendous amount of ignominy while serving my sentence and feel contrition every single day.
Financial Obligations
I have no restitution imposed by the judge in accordance with the Financial Responsibility Program of the BOP.
Advisors
Staff:
Unit Manager- Mrs. Rush
Case Manager- Mrs Jones
Case Manager Coordinator- Mr. Morris
Work Detail Supervisors
Peer Specialist Coordinator/Drug Treatment Specialist- Mr. Hayes
Psychology Acting Chief- Dr. Brantley
FEMA Crew- Lt. Jennings
Reentry Coordinator- Mr. Best
Residential Reentry Center- N/A
Probation- N/A
Projected Release Planning
Throughout my many years of schooling, I have decided to learn how to be the very best version of myself that I can be. My military service created the foundation for these principles by teaching me focus, integrity, and discipline. I have made the decision to begin programming in and around 2008/09 at the USDB. I felt I had a great deal to learn about myself and I was compelled to figure out how I allowed myself to become susceptible to committing a violent act.
When incarcerated at the USDB, I enrolled and graduated from the following courses: Assault of Offenders, Precognitive Therapy, Reason and Rehabilitation and FEMA. I was a member of the African American Cultural Organization; The European Historical and Cultural Society; and the Latino Studies Organization. Working with the LSO, I received a Humanitarian award for donating money to the rural village of Los Talpetates, El Salvador in efforts to rebuild after earthquakes and floods devastated their homes and crops and livestock. It also contributed to funding educational support such as meals, uniforms, school supplies and transportation for one student to attend High school, forty miles away for one year.
While spending time in the Education Department and working with my Reentry coordinator, I realized that having a release plan is vital and very important to my transition and success from prison into society and becoming a productive citizen. My case manager expressed to me the importance of good behavior, clear conduct and program participation and how it can influence a decision from the powers that be in allowing me to an earlier transition or possibly serving a portion of my sentence in a Residential Reentry center.
Although I’m ineligible for the First Step Act, that was signed into law on December of 2018, and can’t receive Good Conduct Time credits, I’ve still proceeded to take classes to lower my chance at recidivating. Some of the classes were recommended during my 6 month program review which is conducted by my unit team. I continue to program, volunteer, and assist staff with many different endeavors such as: Fair Shake Co-Facilitator, FEMA crew, cofacilitating classes under the direct supervision of staff for Reentry(Parenting) and Psychology(Drug Education), Unicorp Industries
I will never be able to erase the stigma that accompanies my conviction. I created this adversity for myself. I acknowledge this. It’s a constant struggle, that I face each day. But, no matter how hard it is to face the day, I do it with courage, dignity, focus, and personal empowerment. I will persevere, because I stand firm in my principles’, and I want to become successful and reconcile with society.
My cousin’s Ashley’s grandmother, Mamall, told her that she wanted to speak to me one day when I called. Ashley has to set the phone up for our scheduled call because she’s lost her sight. Our conversation was so enlightening and uplifting, something that we don’t always get on the inside. And it made me want to continue to call more and more. She’s now my honorary grandmother. One day she stated, “I want you to remember this, just because you are in prison, doesn’t mean prison is in “you.” And that touched me. And then she prayed over me. Over the course of time we have grown extremely close. I try to call her every weekend, when I can. Her faith is so tremendously strong, despite her disability, and it keeps me going when I feel I can no longer make it. I think of her and how I wanna make her proud of me, and she is one of many that will not disappoint. She makes me believe that I can be someone and that’s such a great feeling. I want nothing more than to make her proud, my parents proud, and be someone my son can be proud to call father. I use each of my loved ones as strength and their prayers to lift me out of dark places, when I no longer have the strength to fight some days. I’ve set my mind to become successful and to be a productive citizen, a role model, and a pillar of my community.
Personal Plan
While serving my sentence I have followed the guidance of my Unit team. Since my incarceration, I’ve implemented a plan to help me return to society a more productive citizen. It includes holding a job, taking programs, educating myself through Psychology and the Education Departments, and volunteering to help others improve their outcomes while serving their sentences. These are the areas defined in my plan.
Jobs I’ve held while incarcerated:
Dining Facility order
Chapel Orderly
Unit Orderly
Embroidery sewing operator
Graphic Arts operator
Quality Assurance Manager for Unicorp. Industries
Certified Textile Repairman (accumulating 2855 of 4000 required Dept. of Labor Hours through apprenticeship)
Community Manager assisting Psychology staff within the Challenge Modified Therapeutic Community
Peer Specialist working under the direct supervision of Psychology staff
Suicide Companion Cadre working under the direct supervision of Psychology staff
Programs and Classes I’ve taken while incarcerated:
Reason and Rehabilitation
Precognitive therapy
Assault of Offenders
Life Connections Program
Challenge Program (USP McCreary and USP Terre Haute)
Manufacturing Skills Standards Certified Logistics Associate
FEMA (Certified)
Anger Management
Domestic Abuse
Parenting I and II
Inside Out Dads
Effective Communication
Stock Investing
Money Smart
Safety 4
Impact of Crime On Victims
Journalism
Health Is Everywhere
Commercial Driving License
I’m currently employed as a Peer Support Cadre and as a Quality Assurance Manager at Unicorp Industries. Upon release, I will seek employment at the ButterBall Plant in Fayetteville, N.C. in Quality Assurance.
Seminars I’ve attended while incarcerated:
Hunter Smith Band Seminar (Former Indianapolis Colts Kicker)
Sowing Seed with Johnny Turnipseed
Health Seminar- Exercise
Health Seminar- Nutrition
Stories Workshop
PTSD Seminar with Silousm Green
Occupational Reentry Seminar and Mock Job Fair
Boundaries Seminar
Self help books I’ve read or I’m in the process of reading:
*7 Habits of highly effective people by Stephen R. Covey: A powerful lesson in personal change.
*Mindfulness by Gill Hasson: The practice of mindfulness that encourages you to experience the moment instead of rushing through it. And open yourself to new ideas and new ways of doing things.
*Trading Places by Tony A. Wallace: A powerful tool in learning how to secure a financial future. (In process)
*Spiritual slavery to Sonship by Jack and Trisha Frost: Looking for identity and acceptance which sadly leads people to wrong people, places and messages.
*Only grant writing book you’ll ever need by Ellen Karsh and Arlen Sue Fox: A tutelage tool to use under my Mentorship with Mrs. Pamela Bailey (from More Than Our Crimes) to learn about starting a Nonprofit. (In process)
Services I’ve volunteered with while incarcerated:
Under the direct supervision of a Reentry staff, I help coordinate and implement skills that help Adults in custody transition back into society using Fair Shake, a National Web-based Reentry Resource Center, as a Fair Shake cofacilitator located in the Education Department.
Mentoring under Mrs. Bailey, in conjunction with her Nonprofit, More than our crimes whose mission is to advocate for second chances, reform, and to inform about prison conditions and opportunities for Adults in Custody.
Medical Prescriptions
I am a 44 year old male, standing 5’9 and I weigh 172 pounds. I’m a chronic care inmate and I suffer from Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) bad cholesterol; Chronic back pain from Lumbar spondylopathy and radiculopathy, Lumbar herniated disk, Degenerative disk disease and Sciatic nerve pain; Hypertension; Allergic Rhinitis and Pulpitis, Chronic migraines, PTSD and Astigmatism
My healthcare provider has prescribed the following medications: Atorvastatin for my LDL; Duloxetine HCI delayed release for my Chronic back pain; Hydrochlorothiazide for my Hypertension; I was taken off Fluticasone Propionate(Glucocorticoid) and now have to purchase it from the Commissary at $22.10 a bottle for my Allergic Rhinitis and Pulpitis; Ibuprofen for my Chronic migraines; I was taken off of my Amitriptyline for my PTSD by a provider who wouldn’t allow me to work while taking it when I’ve been taking it for three years at the same jobsite without incident. So, I currently use Meditation and Nature sounds I purchase from the Trulincs terminal and load onto my tablet at $1.55 each; and I wear prescription glasses for my Astigmatism which are Rose tinted to also help with my Chronic migraines.
Managing all of my conditions properly allows me to lead a life that is healthy without complications. Although there are a significant amount of complications when it comes to purchasing medications I was recently prescribed because of the lack of finances. I understand the seriousness of my confining offense, I humbly request that you consider the significance of my medical issues and my overall health while being confined in the BOP.
