By Donna Swicegood
Statesville Record & Landmark
STATESVILLE, N.C. — Judge Deb Brown could have told the four convicted felons she was talking to Tuesday night about how the path they are on might land them in front of her on the bench for sentencing.
Instead, Brown, a District Court judge, chose to veer from the traditional. She took a chair, placed it directly in front of the four people, and told them the story of her abusive childhood and her own path toward the wrong side of the law.
Brown was one of several people who spoke at the ninth call-in by the Statesville-Iredell Gang Initiative.
The call-ins focus on those with serious criminal records. They are asked to voluntarily come to the call-ins, where they hear messages from law enforcement and service providers. They were also offered help from a variety of service providers — from educational assistance to substance abuse treatment to job training and assistance.
“We’re not here to scare you,” said Statesville Police Department Sgt. Dan Miglin.
Miglin told the four — three men and a woman — that this call-in is the last chance they will have to get back on track and avoid the potential of a long prison sentence or death.
Brown, a former prosecutor and defense attorney, told the four she understood the challenges they’ve faced. “I’m sure you thinking, ‘What does she know about my life?’ ” Brown told the quartet.
She told them she knew quite a bit about their circumstances and struggles. As the oldest of several children, Brown said, she grew up with an alcoholic father, who frequently abused her mother. That left Brown to care for her younger siblings.
Later, her father abandoned the family, forcing her mother to go to work, and Brown became responsible for her younger siblings. “I was angry. I was rebellious,” she said. “I specialized in skipping school.”
She did graduate from high school but drifted from one dead-end job to another and made some bad choices along the way, she said. Finally, five years later, Brown said, she knew she needed to make a change.
“I decided I wanted to go to college. I didn’t have anybody to pay for it,” she said. Still, she went back to school, got her bachelor’s degree and then her law degree.
She told the four she brings that background with her to the bench. “I can be tough when I need to be but I can be lenient and try to help people,” Brown said. “I help those that deserve it.”
Brown told the four that they have an opportunity to change the course of their lives. “It’s not going to be easy, but there are people here to help you,” she said.
A young man who was one those called in last year also told the four of his experiences. A two-time convicted felon, the young man named Jeremy said the call-in made all the difference in his life.
The call-in and the birth of his son, he said, enlightened him to the need to make changes in his life. “I wanted to be a part of his life and I knew I couldn’t do that if I was in jail,” he said.
After the call-in one year ago, Jeremy said he took the help offered, and now he is working for a landscape company. “I have an awesome job,” he said.
Jeremy said finding someone who would hire him wasn’t easy. “I know it’s hard to find a job and you may have to do a job you don’t want to do,” he said. “But you can do it. These people are here to help you.”
The positive messages from Brown and Jeremy came after stern warnings from prosecutors and law enforcement.
“The revolving door of justice has just shut,” said Statesville Police Chief Tom Anderson.
He told the four that they were chosen for the call-in because someone, either a probation officer or other official, believed they can turn their lives around. “You are special,” he said.
But, Anderson said, if they choose to continue their criminal activities, they will receive special treatment from police and the prosecutors. “We will do everything we can legally to get your attention,” he said.
As Anderson spoke, he referred to a PowerPoint presentation showing on a screen behind him. In that presentation, the names of several career criminals were shown — some are now deceased and others are serving prison sentences.
“We don’t want your picture to be on the next PowerPoint,” he said.
Anderson said the road to being a law-abiding citizen won’t be easy. “This is not a get-out-of-jail-free card. This is your chance,” he said.
Iredell County Sheriff’s Office Maj. Darren Campbell, who oversees the criminal investigation division, informed the four that all law enforcement agencies in Iredell are on board with this program, and moving criminal activity to another jurisdiction won’t work.
“We will use any resources we have to keep our citizens safe,” he said.
Assistant District Attorney Mikko Red Arrow said a total of seven people were invited to take part in the call-in Tuesday. “Three are not here and their chances are over,” he said.
Red Arrow pulled out the folders for the four individuals who were at the call-in. He warned them that they were headed for habitual felon status and that could mean a long prison sentence. “Plea bargains and delayed prosecutions are gone,” he said.
Yvonne Becker, a special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, told the four they are now on the radar for state, local and federal agencies. Like Red Arrow, she told them that the armed career criminal status in federal court is on the horizon and warned them of the devastating consequences in terms of prison sentences.
“You are looking at 15 years minimum/mandatory on top of whatever other charge you have,” she said.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Dana Washington told the four that if they did not turn their lives around and accept the help offered at the call-in, they are headed for federal court at some point. “You don’t want to go through the federal system,” he said. “The federal system is harsh.”
He said federal prison could mean being housed close to home or anywhere in the country. “You will go wherever they have a space for you,” he said.
Washington advised them to take advantage of the numerous service providers in the audience. “I sincerely hope every one of you heeds this warning,” he said.
Dennis Goins, chief probation officer for Iredell County, told the four that their probation officers want them to take advantage of the assistance. “We want you to succeed,” he said. “We measure our success by your success.”
He told them the probation officers are among those wanting to help. “We are here to help you,” he said.
Wendy Martin, director of Project Re-entry, a program aimed at helping those with criminal histories to get back into the workforce, said she was once in their shoes. “I am a convicted felon,” she said.
Martin told them she is an advocate for them. “I will do anything to help you,” she said.
Pam Navey, the community resource coordinator, told the four that she is the go-to person to point them in the right direction.
“Have faith in yourself,” she said.
Miglin ended the call-in with a plea to take advantage of the opportunities. “If not for yourself, do it for your families.”
Two of the four did stick around after the program to speak with the service providers.
Miglin said the numbers of those called in have decreased with each call-in and believes that is because the program is making a difference.