Plea for leniency in my case to save my kid's and family's future

To get more support

Petition

Date:               13/Nov/2011

From:              Disbaled Chicago Police Officer Nail Majid

                         Doctorate Student at Henley Putnam University.

To:                   Whom it may concern

Subject:           Petition to the Federal Government Prosecutor’s
                         Office Northern District Ohio

In the winter of 2010 the Federal Government (DEA) seized my duty/backup weapon, an Ar-15 rifle, which I was used for several years during my work as a police officer. The federal prosecutor in this case, Linda Barr, charged me with illegal possession of a firearm, which is a felony in the state of Ohio.

Having been a resident and police officer of Illinois for the majority of my life, I did not know that such a weapon required a special permit. Apparently, due to having a shorter barrel than what the state mandate is, my rifle was in violation of state and federal law. If I knew I needed such permit or if I was ever told by my superiors I would've applied for one and would've easily obtained one. My mistake does not justify my violation. The cost of the permit is around $150-$200.

During this case and investigation, the Federal Judge along with my attorney pleaded with the Prosecutor numerous times to re-consider her position and lower the charge from a felony to a misdemeanor or a fine.

The weapon was never used in the commission of any crime nor was it out of my possession at any time from the date of purchase. The weapon was simply locked in its case collecting dust for the past 15 years.

My Partner, Anthony Samfey, and I purchased this weapon from our immediate supervisor while working with the Kankakee City Police Department, and during that time I attended a specialized firearms training class and I became certified to use my rifle as a backup weapon.

During my tenure with the Kankakee Police Department, my partner and I shared the rifle as ours back up weapon but unfortunately he was KIA during a traffic stop on 17/Oct/1996.

Following my partner's death, I was promoted to a Special Agent position with the Drug Enforcement Task Force in Illinois known as the Kankakee Area Metropolitan Enforcement Group, Street Suppression Unit, Task Force 21.

While working on the DEA Task Force, I had a chance to meet and work with local, state, and federal law enforcement agents and officers. Our job was to conduct overt and covert investigations of illegal narcotics sales. During this time, several of the agents I worked with witnessed me using my rifle in question while on duty; I was never told nor asked by any federal agent or my superiors I needed a permit.

After transferring to the Chicago Police Department in 2001, I honorably served the City of Chicago as a police officer in high crime areas in which my last assignment was with the Gangs/Narcotics Street Tactical Unit in the 2nd District.

During this entire time, I kept the rifle as my back-up weapon and on two (2) separate occasions, I was involved in police shootings were I fatally shot and injured a total of three reputed hardcore Gang members in Chicago.

During last police shooting, I sustained permanent injuries to my lower neck and right shoulder which have prevented me from returning to work as a police officer ever again, and thus unable to continue performing my duties of serving and protecting my community. I was awarded Duty Disability in 2003 and since then, I have been disabled and unable to obtain any job due to my injuries.

Once again, the prosecutor did not cooperate with the Jugde despite the fact that he along with my attorney have tried to convince her to reconsider her position in my case.

I am willing to make certain offers to the prosecutor such as volunteering as a social worker if my health permitted me to do so, or donate money to our local church or our local police department to get news dash cams in every squad car.

So far, I have spent my life savings of $53000.00 to cover my Attony's fees. I have three young children: a daughter 8, and two sons 6 and 3 years old and their future is all that has ever mattered to me.

I pray that the federal prosecutor will seriously avoid destroying my family's future by giving me a felony and to lower the charge to a misdemeanor. If I receive a felony conviction it's more than likely I will lose my only source of income, (Duty Disability Pension).

I pray that the prosecutor will take into account my past service to this country, my disability, the loss of my partner, and the recent death of my Beloved Mother from Ovarian cancer and my Fathers current condition as he fights prostate cancer, an best of all my clean criminal record.
 
I know from personal experiences as a police officer that on many occasions hardcore and career criminals have gotten far more lenient sentences by prosecutors for crimes that are worse than mine. 
              
                  I AM NOT ONE OF THESE CRIMINALS.

This is my last resort to help save my family’s future and I need your help in signing my petition to respectfully ask the government for leniency.

I am not in any way denying that I owned the rifle; I am however saying that I simply never knew that a permit was required for it. Have I known that I needed a permit, I would've obtained one immediately. 

Knowing that ignorance of the law is NOT an excuse, I believe that the punishment in my case for this simple and honest violation is extremely harsh and will have a devastating effect on my family’s future. For that reason I am asking the prosecutor for leniency by lowering the felony charge to a misdemeanor charge.

This case is no longer about me, but rather about my family’s future and safety. I sincerely appreciate everyone's cooperation and support intended to help me resolve this issue.

             
                 "YOUR VOICE DOES MATTER IN THIS CASE".

I thank you for signing my petition and may God Bless you, Bless our Country, and Bless every man and woman in uniform who are working to protect us from harm domestically and abroad.

The petition calls for leniency and for the prosecution to use their discretion and judgment by lowering the charge from a felony to a misdemeanor. The way it stands now is that the punishment in this case does not meet the crime/violation, and the punishment is extremely harsh with devastating consequences.

Please keep in mind, that the only reason I owned such a weapon is because I chose a career in law enforcement and had I not become a policeman I would have never purchased this weapon.

During my career in criminal justice and law enforcement that started in 1988, I've earned three (3) highest awards Medals of Valor, numerous Department Commendations and Honorable Mentions, F.O.P Top Cop Award, and over 70 awards and certificates of training. I have a BA in Criminal Justice, two minors in Chemistry and Biology; A Master Degree in Training and Performance Management, and currently a Doctorate Student at Henley Putnam University.

I have dedicated my entire life to building my career in law enforcement. I am 41yoa now, and I've spent about 36 years of my life in school.

My name, reputation, and personal accomplishments, and most importantly my kids future are going to be destroyed. My priority now is to defend, insure, secure, and protect my family’s interest and future.
Thanks again and God Bless.

Sincerely,

Nail Majid