Thomas S. Rue, M.A.
P.O. Box 706 - Monticello, NY 12701 - (914) 791-7014

March 16, 1993

The Honorable Janet Reno
Attorney General of the United States
U.S. Department of Justice
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Ms. Reno:

I am writing because of public statements you have made opposing mandatory minimum sentences. It is also my presumption that you are on a similar wavelength as President Clinton, regarding such dispositional resources as "boot camp" for 1st-time nonviolent offenders.

There could be few better places for the Department of Justice to conmence such initiatives than with the case of a victim of mandatory sentencing laws from Parksville, New York. Mr. Joel Proyect was convicted of growing just over 100 marijuana plants (which I Qnderstand is the legal threshold for mandatory incarceration). Mr. Proyect states, and I believe, that his plants were intended entirely for his personal use. In addition to a 5-year sentence, the forfeiture of Mr. Proyect's home and 30 acres were ordered although it is my understanding that less than .08 of this acreage was actually used in the commission of the offense. This seems more than just unjust, it seems like tyranny! Enclosed is a copy of an article from The New York Times summarizing the status of his case as of several months ago, as well as an editorial from the Middletown Times Herald-Record.

The result of mandatory sentencing, as Mr. Proyect has learned first-hand, is that discretion lies with the prosecutor rather than the sentencing Court, regarding whether or not he goes to prison. This does not seem fair, giving too much power to the government.

My understanding is that your responsibilities include reviewing cases like this one, to see that justice is served. Please do what you can do for the nation on this important matter, commencing with a review of Mr. Proyect's case and advise me of your conclusions.

Thank you very much.

Respectfully,
Thomas S. Rue, M.A.
National Certified Counselor

Enclosures

Links on mandatory sentencing guidelines