Creaghan Harry, Co-Founder, Racial Justice Reform -

Attn: President Joe Biden
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. President,

I am writing on behalf of Racial Justice Reform, an organization dedicated to addressing systemic injustices within the federal sentencing system, particularly the application of the career offender enhancement. Our organization, based in Boca Raton, Florida, advocates for sentencing reform, especially in cases where non-violent offenses, such as petty drug crimes, result in disproportionately long sentences. Our concern centers on the sentencing of Jonathan Hale Davis, who is currently serving a 27-year sentence, enhanced under the federal career offender guidelines due to minor drug offenses that occurred decades ago.

Jonathan’s story is a tragic illustration of how the career offender enhancement can devastate individuals and families. His prior convictions, stemming from street-level drug sales, have been unjustly used to enhance his sentence under the three strikes law. These offenses did not involve violence, yet they have led to an egregious sentence of 324 months. He has now served 14 years, and we believe that this is a gross miscarriage of justice, particularly when compared to the sentences of individuals convicted of far more severe crimes.

As a civil rights organization, we believe the application of career offender status to cases like Jonathan’s exacerbates racial disparities in the federal justice system. His enhanced sentence is a product of prosecutorial discretion and a judicial system that too often penalizes individuals from marginalized communities, like Jonathan, far beyond what is just or necessary. We call upon you to use your power of clemency to immediately reduce his sentence.

Jonathan has shown significant rehabilitation during his time incarcerated. He has completed numerous programs, including becoming a Certified Recovery Coach, which is vital to addressing the opioid crisis upon release. Despite these efforts, Jonathan continues to face a life behind bars due to outdated sentencing laws and the war on drugs, which has disproportionately targeted communities of color.

We implore you, Mr. President, to commute Jonathan’s sentence, allowing him to return to his family, support his elderly father, and contribute to society. His continued incarceration serves no further purpose, and his release would be a powerful step toward correcting a systemic wrong. We believe his case exemplifies why immediate reforms are needed in our criminal justice system.