Combating Injustice for Darren

We are raising money to support justice for Darren Elliott, a loving and caring family-oriented man, who is dedicated to turning his life around by working hard and staying focused on his goals.

Darren was arrested in 2011 for a jewelry store heist. He confessed to his crime and took full responsibility for it, serving 4 years in state prison. Since his release in 2015, Darren has remained consistently focused on earning a better way of living. Finding a job in New York is difficult as it is without a criminal record, and having one makes finding a means of an honest living even more difficult as companies are less likely to hire someone with a record. Many people with a criminal record are deterred from the job pursuit (because, in reality, it is almost hopeless), and resort back to a criminal lifestyle. Determined to turn his life around, however, Darren continued his pursuit of finding a legitimate job, going on countless interviews and sending out tons of resumes. His determination eventually paid off when he finally landed a job as a server at a restaurant, earning his way up to a managerial position because of his honest, responsible, and cooperative nature.

With only one and a half years out of prison, Darren was arrested again for the same exact crime that he already served time for--a crime that he confessed to and took full responsibility for, a crime that he regrets and was so determined to reverse. The FBI is now charging Darren for the same exact crime, which is known as double jeopardy, which is justified by simply adding a twist to the crime: that it was organized. By adding this twist, the judicial system can put Darren away for the same exact crime but under a different category, essentially. It is corrupt and unjust. Darren has no affiliation with organized crime. He has been devoted to a legitimate job and lifestyle and seeks to pursue his goals.

The function of prison is to rehabilitate. Darren served his four years in state prison for his crime. He was rehabilitated, and released into society, where he was working hard, earning an honest living and fulfilling his goals. Returning to prison--federal prison this time-- to rehabilitate is unnecessary and is, more importantly, completely unjust. We, therefore, plead for your help through a cry for justice. We are seeking donations to help fund Darren’s defense. We thank you for taking the time for visiting this page and for your support.