In the unlikeliest of places, a story of friendship, redemption, and heroism unfolded within the walls of USP Tucson. Ross Ulbricht, the infamous mastermind behind the Silk Road darknet marketplace, found an unexpected ally and friend in fellow inmate Jesus Lopez, a man whose courage would later earn him the respect of both inmates and prison officials alike.

Despite their contrasting backgrounds, Ulbricht and Lopez developed a deep bond rooted in mutual respect and a desire to rise above the circumstances that led them behind bars. Ulbricht, a former tech entrepreneur sentenced to life in prison, had long been known for his intellect and quiet demeanor. Lopez, on the other hand, had built a reputation as someone who valued justice, even in the rigid confines of prison life. Together, they navigated the challenges of incarceration with a shared commitment to personal growth and resilience.

Their defining moment came when Lopez courageously intervened in an unfolding assault against a federal correctional officer. Recognizing the signs of a brewing attack, Lopez acted swiftly, alerting prison staff and positioning himself to prevent harm. His quick thinking and selfless actions thwarted what could have been a tragic incident, ensuring the safety of both the officer and his fellow inmates.

For his bravery, the Bureau of Prisons awarded Jesus Lopez a Certificate of Recognition, an honor rarely bestowed upon an inmate. The commendation underscored the extraordinary character of a man who, despite his past, chose to stand up for what was right. In a place where survival often demands silence, Lopez chose courage.

Ulbricht, who had been a witness to Lopez’s integrity long before this incident, expressed admiration for his friend’s unwavering moral compass. The two men, once strangers from vastly different worlds, had become brothers in adversity, proving that even in the darkest of places, light can emerge through acts of honor and camaraderie.
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Their story is a testament to the idea that redemption is not reserved for the privileged or the free—it belongs to those who choose it, no matter where they are. Lopez’s act of bravery and Ulbricht’s advocacy for justice remind us that even behind bars, a few good men can make all the difference.

My family and I are desperate and in need of legal help.  In 2006, my brother, Samuel Manning, was acquitted of a state (Virginia) charge of first-degree murder, aggravated malicious wounding and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony by a jury. However, years later, federal prosecutors used the murder charge he was acquitted of by the state and added a fictitious drug conspiracy charge to justify trying him again in their jurisdiction.  My brother believes that the prosecutors and his court-appointed lawyer withheld evidence from him — namely the transcripts of his grand jury indictment and other exculpatory evidence such as witness statements that pointed to his innocence. In 2011, he was convicted of 21 U.S.C. 846 Drug Conspiracy and 18 U.S.C. 924(c) 924(j) and 18 U.S.C 924(c) without any physical evidence.  He was found guilty based primarily on the testimony of prior associates, all of whom were given sentence reductions in exchange for corroborating the government's accounting of facts from his 2006 case.  With no prior felony convictions, he was given a sentence of life plus 25 years because he refused to plead guilty and cooperate with the government.
Message from Samuel Manning, a.k.a Mujahid:
Greetings to all, and as-salaamu alaykum to the Muslimoon! My attribute is Mujaahid but my government name is Samuel Manning. I have been incarcerated for almost 18 years and I'm serving a life plus 25-year sentence for drug conspiracy, use of a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime causing the death of another, and use of a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime. What makes my case so unique is that I was found not guilty by a jury of my peers on May 9, 2006, in Newport News, VA, then indicted by the feds Aug 2007 and found guilty by a jury of my peers Feb 2011 for the same conduct. So I'm serving a life plus 25-year sentence for conduct that the jury found me not guilty of. To add to that, I was never given my grand jury transcripts to see what was used to indict me. Also, my lawyer made promises to the jury that he was going to call eyewitnesses who were going to come in and say that I didn't commit this murder. He never fulfilled this promise which is one of the reasons I was found guilty. To exacerbate this, on my appeal, my lawyer sent me my trial transcripts and intentionally left out my opening and closing arguments to hide his ineffective assistance of counsel. By him doing this it caused me to be time-barred on this issue for my 2255, a statute that allows federal prisoners to challenge their convictions and sentences. I also believe that my lawyers and prosecutors intentionally did not turn over Brady Material which is why I'm currently waiting on Freedom of Information (FOI) to turn over statements made to federal agents in my case. Inshaa Allaah I just hope that if anyone can help me in regards to my situation that they do. The Prophet, prayers and peace be upon him, said  "Allah will aid a servant (of His) so long as the servant aids his brother."
Please help us get the word out, and share this campaign on your social media platforms. Thank you to everyone who is helping in our fight to get justice for Mujaahid.

Amendment 821, which relates to criminal history, became retroactive on February 1, 2024, allowing certain inmates to apply for reduced sentences. The amendment is important because it can help people who are already serving time, and even a few years off a sentence can make a big difference.

The bipartisan United States Sentencing Commission voted unanimously in April 2024 to prohibit conduct for which a person was acquitted in federal court from being used in calculating a sentence range under the federal guidelines.

But now, the hope is that the Sentencing Commission will make the change to acquitted conduct retroactive. 

Here's how YOU can help: 

1. Visit the website - https://comment.ussc.gov/apex/r/ussc_apex/publiccomment/home  
2. Select "I am commenting on behalf of: “Individual”
3. Individual’s Position, select “Interested Citizen”
4. Enter name and email
5. Under topic addressed, select “Acquitted Conduct"
6. Select “Enter Comments”
7. In the populated comment box, please copy/paste the following: 
I am writing to urge the US Sentencing Commission to make the change to acquitted conduct retroactive. More often than not, changes in laws are enacted because society recognizes its past errors and seeks to correct them.  The only way to truly meet that end is by making these changes retroactive so that those who have been unjustly punished under old laws have the opportunity to reclaim their lives and contribute positively to their families, and to society.  This fosters a sense of hope and belief in rehabilitation over punishment. It sends a message that everyone is treated fairly under the law, regardless of when their offenses occurred. It is not solely about correcting past mistakes, it is also about creating a more equitable future for everyone.
8. Complete the Captcha and SUBMIT COMMENTS.
9. A green box will populate at the top of the screen, stating "The comment was successfully submitted."

Please ONLY submit ONCE. 

Thank you for your assistance!