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Latest News: 07/13/08 - New Website - http://www.shootjacksonville.com - Because Jacksonville can kill you. 06/23/08 - Voice mail from a Probation Officer prompts Open Letter to Department of Corrections [View] Everyone is encouraged to contact John Wethington of the Office of Statewide prosecution office and voice their opinion about not returning any of the defendants in this case back to Jacksonville (again)... We've already proved that it was a waste of taxpayer funds - Do you want them to continue to abuse their budget? The Office of Statewide prosecution is located at: 1300 Riverplace Blvd, Suite 405, Jacksonville FL, 32207. Their phone number is (904) 348-2720 My name is Ryan Masters, I used to be a resident of Las Vegas, Nevada. I was arrested and extradited from Las Vegas , Nevada in 2006. Since I could not afford bail and did not have the resources to defend myself in a proper trial, I was forced to accept a plea agreement to plead guilty to a 3rd degree felony charge of Organized Fraud. I served 1 year in the county jail, and only for collection efforts, I was sentenced to 4 years probation. I can not (legally) leave the State of Florida.
The Crime? A fraud perpetrated mainly by Brandon Landis, 11749 Mina Rd, Jacksonville, Florida 32223. Mr. Landis used fraudulent Visa gift cards to purchase rims, and other merchandise from Discount Tire, and a few other internet merchants in January of 2004. Mr. Landis was also the individual in possession of all the “evidence” that was obtained by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). The Total amount lost as a result of this fraud, was approximately $1,300.00. However, FDLE claimed they incurred costs in the upwards of $57,000 in investigation of this case. I want to return back to Las Vegas, however the Interstate Compact does not allow to transfer probation unless I have resident family in that state. My family has nothing to do with this case or any element of it, and their physical location has no bearing on my ability to work or support myself. I want to be away from the corruption and schemes of the Department of Corrections, The FDLE, The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, and the Office of Statewide Prosecution. It is important to know how other individuals, especially those charged with violent and more severe crimes, can receive a LESSER sentence, and given a chance to move on with their life. Besides judicial consequences, what other impact does incarceration have on a "Innocent until proven guilty" inmate? * Loss of home - Inmate's can not earn money, pay bills, otherwise try to maintain outside financial obligations while incarcerated. * Loss of all personal property - Unless you have someone local you can trust, or otherwise give your belongings to, all your personal possessions are usually disposed of (or kept) by the person who owns the property in which you reside. There is nothing better then collecting personal valuables as a result of eviction or abandonment. * Limited Communication to Family and Friends - Jail collect calls are operated by low quality internet phone lines, at prices similar to international collect calls. A 15 minute out of state call costs nearly $30.00 after taxes and "Operated Assisted" fees. The only thing keeping me from moving on with my life is this probation that is used as a "pay us or go to jail" collection method. What else is wrong with probation? The Reporting. It is nobody's business where I live, who I associate or live with, or what hotel I am staying at should I spend a weekend at the beach. Am I using alcohol or drugs? No, but if I did, its probably to get my mind away from all the restrictions of probation. My 1 year I rotted in Jacksonville's Jail doing NOTHING to benefit myself or my family, then to be sentenced to probation? Isn't probation meant to be an ALTERNATIVE to INCARCERATION? Not in Duval County. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement There was 2 individuals that were extradited from Las Vegas in August 2006. Another defendant, Christopher McClellan, and myself. We were picked up from the Clark County Detention Center (Las Vegas) on 2 separate trips, when I asked the extradition officer why we would be picked up separately, the answer was, “so we could have 2 little vacations” The officers stayed at the Monte Carlo Casino and Hotel, a luxury hotel located on the Las Vegas Strip. They purchased airline tickets through Continental Airlines, using an American Express charge card, linked to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. To ensure that I or my other defendants would not be released from jail, our bond amounts were set at $250,000 each. This was the keystone in winning the convictions. Even, at the request of the prosecutor, Brandon Landis’s bond was reduced to $25,000, and he was allowed to go on a cruise vacation with his family in celebration of his jail release. Mr. Landis was granted immunity from collection of the $57,000 cost of investigation imposed by the FDLE. Below you will read about some of the conditions that inmates endure while they are awaiting their plea agreement (I would say trial but very few cases ever go to trial. Most inmates crack after a few months of treatment in the Pre-Trial Detention Facility and accept anything just to get out of that jail). |
Information about the Duval County Pre-Trial Detention Facility