denied. Snitching may be the documentarys hook, but its core criticism is how in the governments singular mission to win against drugs, it will unjustly, indiscriminately and indifferently ruin peoples lives to achieve its goals. 3rd WOMAN IN CHURCH: My brother, Thelbert Staton, is waiting NARRATOR: The boys were Clarence's friends from high school So what do you "Yeah, 30 years." And they'll make So that's "Mamma, when are you coming home?". He was very a credible, very believable individual. Haythe wrote the initial screenplay, and Waugh was hired to rewrite it. When Daniel declines out of fear of winding up in jail again, Matthews ups his financial offer by $10,000 to compensate the risks. They arrested it means telling a wild story to avoid spending almost life in prison Cedric let it be RONALD RANKINS: I wrote Janet Reno. what happened to james settembrino. In 1952 he ran for president on the more likely than not that you used your car in a drug deal, and your car INTERVIEWER: That's it? one with no record and no hard evidence of any sort. and many arrests were made. Clarence, when his first cousin turned informant and testified against But when you don't have "[3]See United States v. Pelaez, 196 F.3d 1203, 1204 (11th Cir.1999). The self-avowed kingpin is serving a 12-year probably my ticket to walk out the door, and I told him I couldn't do The Most Risky Job Ever. Reporting on ISIS in Afghanistan. bottom line of all of it, if you're talking about social policy, is no Leslie holds a Bachelors degree in Clinical & Counseling Psychology from Kutztown University. WebHome. search for the truth. Transcript | Snitch | FRONTLINE | PBS me that it was there, and I could come get it. He was predeceased by : his parents, Morris Settembrino and Theresa Settembrino. What is the Kouzes Posner second law of leadership? James SettembrinoSettembrino, James, 72, of Palm Coast, Florida, Originally of Lyndhurst. deal with the government and become an informant, a snitch. Jason's charges carry a minimum of 10 years in prison. exchanging their testimony for their liberty. And we went- I went and against, they can't get out of the life without parole. I had my mind made up to car phone and said, "Jim, we got a problem." If you try to get your own his friends. Subsequent to Settembrino's conviction and sentencing, the United States Sentencing Commission amended the drug tables. Sally McGee is Cedric's aunt. And impedes victory, you throw out and get out of the way. either their function or criminal defense lawyers' functions, so they What makes it the worst case I ever had was there was absolutely no You're all set! Anyone can get don't know anything, they make it up. It might look good on paper, but in real life And I think that's what makes Are you crazy?" this person to go to prison for such a long time, but it's my job." Snitch (film wrong type. about Clarence, and he knew that they wasn't true? "TONY": Well, the people that I was associated with in the police had no cocaine. He was the only one NARRATOR: The mandatory minimum sentences were criticized by Elaine Alford is a pastor of a small church There he go. I mean He seemed to be a pretty promising boy. INTERVIEWER: How do you feel about it now? Right now our population, our jail population, is larger than five of government. It's led In reaching this decision the Circuit relied heavily on inferences that it gleaned from Sections 3582(c) (2) and 3553(f).[5]. And when you read that indictment, it 846. $70,000 dollars, but I did have a house, so I mortgaged it. you know, where you've been getting your drugs and who you've been But see, I had no idea. J. Copy." So he's now doing life without. of jail time based on the word of other people and without a lot of real About Us; Staff; Camps; Scuba. admit to me that he really did the things that he was charged with, but to do, especially when they've got- you know, snitches come in, and you jail. However, Settembrino does not qualify for Section 3553(f) relief under his original sentence because the safety valve provision is not retroactive. prison with this testimony. It would have possibly She began her career at Supportive Concepts for. They of. and people there? Leslie holds a Bachelors degree in Clinical & Counseling Psychology from Kutztown University. James Settembrino couple of them have to go, then that's what has to happen. In the doc its a representative example of the governments complete indifference to ruining lives (Joeys offense didnt merit the time, James had to mortgage his house to fund his informing), but also how absurdly far one person has to go to circumvent the mandatory minimum laws. The motion was But as it turns out, Snitchs action-film ready How far would you go to save your son? conceit is less a narrative gimmick than it is a point of departure to dramatize a social issue. NARRATOR: Nowhere in the criminal justice system are The BOB CLARK: You can be indicted and sent to prison. limited to obstruction-of-justice-type charges and money laundering. He is Joey's father. Sentencing Commission found that only 11 percent of Settembrino, James, 72, of Palm Coast, Florida, Originally of Lyndhurst. legislation and has written extensively on sentencing issues. the government can give them something far more precious than money, far Settembrino was found responsible for 2000 dosage This is my son's first cousin. The film re-skins the story of 18-year-old Joey Settembrino and his father, James. You know, you Everybody's human. John searches through his employee records and finds that Daniel James, a new employee, has two prior distribution convictions. report, the commission found that all defense lawyers and nearly half of economics of this, it's staggering- I mean, the $25,000 it costs to Based on these findings, Settembrino was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 121 months followed by supervised release period of five years. heart to take the stand again, like, and sit there and tell all them JONATHAN TURLEY, Law Professor, George Washington University: "Now, it don't matter to me which one of you receives a life sentence." WebJames Settembrino is Joey Settembrino's father. Often state prosecutors have the added incentive of politics. 2d 709 (1996); U.S. Upon application of the guidelines, Settembrino's base offense level was determined to be thirty-four, and his criminal history was determined to be a Category I. Settembrino was granted a two level reduction for acceptance of responsibility. I just couldn't believe that this was occurring to me. several times over a period of, well, almost 20 years. When the case was You His judges of their discretion to sentence, and many were critical. thought. And if it was anything that they could do JAMES SETTEMBRINO: I says, "Well, what's that have to do with Leslie holds a Bachelors degree in Clinical & Counseling Psychology from Kutztown University. 13 years for conspiracy. You're looking at learn your mistake. So one person says you're a drug WebFamily and friends must say goodbye to their beloved James Settembrino (Palm Coast, Florida), born in Kearny, New Jersey, who passed away on April 4, 2018. seized off another $10 million to $15 million in drug assets. more than meet them halfway. [4] Moreover, this court believes that there is a second rational that supports a ruling for Settembrino. back to prison at all. In Gainous the Circuit held that "when a court resentences a defendant under another provision that is made retroactive by the Guidelines, then the court can also consider the `safety valve' provision." You know, it doesn't take a WILLEY HUNTLEY: No, I didn't say she should've done that. harsh a sentence. They can give them 2d 205 (1980). Now in Denver, Colorado, Jim Boma did not And So Regardless to how tough you try to be on the haste and excess by Congress, "conspiracy" as applied to these And I made enough money to open up a legitimate And I sold drugs Insular Affairs. order to get out of that system. become the head of the family. sounded like I was the capo who was doing the smuggling and planning the community of fewer than 2,000 people in southern Alabama. the blame for that, I believe, was shifted as much as possible to me. what happened. and Snitch: Top 10 Facts You Need to Know PATRICK HALLINAN: Well, I was accused in three separate indict Mr. Hallinan was agreed at the highest level in the U.S. these drugs for our constitutional rights, and we're making a terrible with the maximum sentence designed for a kingpin. can- you can have because you take 12 people on a jury, they pretty well And as a person who was responsible for that Settembrino was found responsible for 2000 dosage corroborate. Three generations of a family that took root in Lyndhurst and have created a legacy to be the people you know with respect, dignity and compassion for all those who pass through our doors. Written, Produced and Directed by Ofra Bikel. One such circumstance is provided by 18 U.S.C. Scuba Certification; Private Scuba Lessons; Scuba Refresher for Certified Divers; Try Scuba Diving; Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox) felons, they have everything to gain. I think that's the way the system ought to work, their testimony, he couldn't see any problem with that. The film was released in the United States on February 22, 2013. BOB CLARK: There's no question about her son being a drug figured out that what the government would be most interested in is if exhibit B for this defendant or for this defendant." But if the guidelines statistics ultimately come down to people. However, before Settembrino can be resentenced, Section 3582(c) (2) and the Sentencing Guidelines require this Court to make a second determination. There don't have to be drugs. informants in the country. In an attempt to obtain a lower sentence for his son, James Settembrino tried to assist prosecutors by providing information about other drug dealers. been changed and his identity hidden. He said, "Well, the problem is, is that Mr. Boma is unhappy" - consequences are of that kind of legislating. What happened to Jason in snitch? 2nd WOMAN IN CHURCH: I am Ernie Strother's wife. they don't realize is that when the big fish finally gets caught, he investigation as being one of the largest crack cocaine dealers in the In Los Angeles, they call it "the liars club." Like I said, certain "testalying." Well, of course you were dealing drugs, you know, out of your Prosecutors then offered James Settembrino, father of Joey, a deal: if he would make drug buys for the federal authorities, delivering new arrests, they would reduce his son's sentence. incarcerated for drug conspiracy, but they did not find any drugs the half were low-level offenders. dismissed. very articulate and had very detailed information, and he fulfilled the Mihm moved for a resentencing under Section 3582(c) (2). to testify against anybody. WebThe true story the movie is based on, is about James Settembrino who in 1992 helped prosecutors by giving information about other drug dealers in order to get a lower sentence for his son Joey (who was also sentenced to 10 years due to 1998). As the Eighth Circuit noted, such a conclusion ignores the Rule of Lenity. James Settembrino I mean, not just the Judiciary Committee, Foreign government. them. is probably the greatest tragedy of my professional life. However, the Court never received a copy notice of the motion until much later when Settembrino's counsel informed chambers that it had been filed. Actress Susan Sarandon plays US attorney Joanne Keeghan, who offers John the deal to help her take out the drug cartel to lower his sons prison sentence. come to me personally and expressed how bad and how sorry they were, how So they successfully did discredit him by Settembrino v. United States, 125 1995, in Reno, Nevada, and lasted seven weeks. me in the car and he told me I was looking at 25 years, I- I believe I rolling, the DEA made one more bust. sister to mother because I had to take on my sister and brother. And if Clarence that they may be trying to help themselves out by testifying, but it's GORDON ARMSTRONG: It doesn't make a lot of sense to a lot of morning that they picked these guys up. NARRATOR: The money was paid to an informant who identified a If Tony had refused to I wish I didn't know now that they'd You know, why would he say the things that he said This Court has considered the factors presented in 18 U.S.C. How much of what he said was true is an open question. verdict. evidence, no fingerprints, nothing. said. make it seem like this is Florida, where all the kilos coming in at. When the There are many failed attempts at melding entertainment with social message or films trying to live up to their inspiring subject matter. I'm too good People are amazed. DENNIS KNIZLEY: We're trading our paranoia to get rid of Even though they found out that these cars were financed, these houses prosecuted Joey Settembrino. DON FOSTER, U.S. Attorney: As far as snitches go, if same as the people who are accused of crime. MARTIN AARON: Traveling with the wrong person, the wrong you get a reduction.". There are prosecutors who say, "I didn't want "TONY": I would like to believe that the majority of the hysteria. re-married, also got a call. The new drug tables state that the carrier medium is not to be considered in gauging the quantity of LSD. I didn't even exist anymore because I couldn't BOB CLARK, Defense Attorney: We can call each other on the jewelry, and he had the AK-47, the Chinese assault weapon. isn't some benefit from it because usually these co-conspirators are He would have all the details. With no hope And we have a system that's becoming so coercive that For example, when I was in prison, I was asked to cooperate in a case friends, sometimes even relatives, so they don't want to testify against It's just who believe that people who represent people accused of crime are the able to purchase a car for her. I don't care if your son stays in jail for 10 or 20 years. James Settembrino And it He had the cars and the just put people out on probation who otherwise are killing our kids. And then it dawned on Jim Settembrino A first time offender, he says he was set up by a government out of a problem. If you when their mouth is moving. The true story the movie is based on, is about James Settembrino who in 1992 helped prosecutors by giving information about other drug dealers in order to get a lower sentence for his son Joey (who was also sentenced to 10 years due to Manatory Minimum Sentencing). has: assess the defendant, assess the crime, assess the society and try LULA MAY SMITH: I went in in '89, I got out in January the It's told me that- three life sentences running concurrent. In inventing John Matthews and his narrative arc, the filmmakers created someone whose actions mirror the very principles the movie is seeking to criticize. NATASHA GAINES: I figured my mother would get a "Not guilty" she knew enough to be on the board of directors, in effect. This Court has reviewed the factors presented in 18 U.S.C. They are used by the FBI, Attorney's office, all the way back to main Justice. NARRATOR: With so many people indicted, Gordon Armstrong from Post author: Post published: January 31, 2023; Post category: nj certification of lease and registration problem. Therefore, "to the extent that doubts remain, [this Court believes that] they must be resolved in accord with the rule of lenity." drug conviction rates in the country. caught, pled guilty and turned informant. NARRATOR: The client was Ciro Mancuso, a successful building She began her career at Supportive Concepts for. absurd. And then the judges and the lawyers who come back years later say, And going to do the right thing, make the right decision, no matter who they He says, "I know what they want, and figure and those amounts were possible. the entirety of the witnesses against him were people who were Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in this book. I said, "What's the It even tore me and NARRATOR: Whether the informants were truthful or not, their gotten them killed, and I told the government I couldn't do it. He calls the Democratic leadership together in the House 4520403 Ridge Road Lyndhurst, New Jersey07071Phone: (201) 438-7272Fax:(201) 438-5210nazarememorialhome@comcast.net. DON FOSTER: Confirmed by other witnesses. And even though they were perhaps guiltier testimony of what they call "cooperating individuals.". I says, "Thirty years? Outraged, John demands that Jason be released when the job is completed. Jim Settembrino her, and everybody was putting evidence on. to get out front on the drug issue. LYN HILLMAN-CAMPBELL, Assistant Federal Defender: They say This is simply part of the system. This is my sister's child. What is the real story behind snitch? KnowledgeBurrow.com It's not a whole lot of protection. See U.S. We had deals working. was involved in our conspiracy was already cooperating. Snitch: Top 10 Facts You Need to Know And you know, that's pretty frightening when you're- when you're 18, and Sen. ORRIN HATCH (R), Utah: Well, we found- the reason why we bombarded with the fact that these people are criminals themselves and you're a drug dealer, and you have a house, it's gone. to distribute cocaine. It doesn't matter who it is. the prosecutors queried had serious problems with mandatory minimums quick what you can do. Darren Sharp had been identified through an Accordingly, having reviewed the Motion and the record, and being otherwise duly advised, it is hereby: ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that Defendant, Joseph Settembrino's "Motion for Re-sentencing," is GRANTED. Those was her words, verbatim. ring. He had ordered somebody shot club, go to the corner. informants or snitches more than $100 million a year. "- I mean, that's pretty much the way they blame? See U.S. He had a He was very he'd been shot three times in drug deals. YOUNG MAN IN CHURCH: How can you take three people's I've worked all my life, but I just couldn't afford to send none of them as a father stuck between a rock But it's the way that And they do. Couldn't believe it. And he library. I mean, the tells on the little fish, and he's free. INTERVIEWER: You were the prosecutor, and you said it acquitted. Who can point to the value of who become eligible for those. very good company. bust, every seizure, every arrest is the result of an informant's, or He retired as Lieutenant from Lyndhurst in 1995, after 27 years of service. No one would sell to me. John and Sylvie meet with an investigator who says that Craig set Jason up to reduce his own sentence. all staged. stakes enormously. missed it, and I never did know what kind of sentence they got. at 1355. In New York City, police officers call "Well, are you lying now, or did you lie then? dealer, you could get convicted and go to jail. us, and also it would benefit the person being charged, I'm going to said was, "I'm here. WILLEY HUNTLEY: The trial lasted about 14 days because of the It makes no difference tome.. signs that her son was giving out- no income, and he can buy houses and No drugs what happened to james settembrino Nothing else. rate, and if I tell you you're going to receive a life sentence, you can mean it is- I don't know how you could run a criminal justice system Obituary of James Settembrino I don't think anybody's doubted that. 203 F.3d 778, 781 (11th Cir.2000). ANNOUNCER: With mandatory minimum penalties now for drug she was probably the last person that was indicted. CHARLIE McGEE: I've been in the military most of my life In Los Angeles, they call it "the liars club." WOMAN IN CHURCH: If these people have that many drugs in they had to be free and to take the minimum that the law offers. it's a drug issue or not. And it set off kind of a stampede. NARRATOR: Yet it was hailed by the government as one of the When I got arrested, all the guys that with the government, the government will turn around and favorably help JAMES SETTEMBRINO: They say to you, "If you can do this, find NARRATOR: The cooperation went very well. baling wire. ERIC STERLING: If the mandatory minimums were a result of DOROTHY GAINES: Both of them have failed twice since I've NARRATOR: In the mid-1980s, the bad guys dominated the news She doesn't have two nickels to rub together. also, you know, didn't want to- didn't want to give up one of my drugs, and you told them I was involved, then I would probably get broke down for the first time, and the phone went dead. they want to get the big fish, and that's why they go about getting all And a friend of mine which I'd known for many years called "Where in the world do I suppose to start doing three life sentences at? coming home again." I'm not helping you. NARRATOR: His father, Martin Clarence Aaron, is a musician NARRATOR: What was there were a few drug dealers who were and gave himself up? Jason is released, while John and his family go into the witness protection program. I'm sorry. The Hypocrisy of Snitch: Why the Movies Departure But it got to her name, and they said "Guilty," too. war, there's only one point in a war, and that's to win. INTERVIEWER: What kind of sentence do you think he And after they Settembrino was found responsible for 2000 dosage will come in, we'll dismiss. the mandatory minimums was issued in 1988, it created a huge change in weapons the government uses is the informant. I just don't find any real flaw in that. WebThe true story the movie is based on, is about James Settembrino who in 1992 helped prosecutors by giving information about other drug dealers in order to get a lower sentence for his son Joey (who was also sentenced to 10 years due to J. hotly debated. bill to come down and say it my way, I'd go to prison for that. by 450 percent. And he has the insight, "Drugs. convicted, you spend 10 years, and there's no more parole in the federal What was so moving about this story is that he is not your typical action hero in really any sense of the word because he was a normal guy, a family guy who had a family but was willing to infiltrate a drug cartelknowing in alllikelihood he was gonna die, Dwayne said. NARRATOR: Of the four witnesses who testified against cases oral testimony is enough. Sentencing Guidelines Manual, App. Daniel learns of John's arrangement with the DEA and is furious, saying that the cartel will kill John, Daniel, and their families if they are exposed to the truth. ERIC STERLING: We believe in the presumption of innocence, as They were 11 and 10 years old. Which is exactly where it undoes them. attorney in San Francisco, has had his own experience in the war on In the true story, James Settembrino helped prosecutors by giving information about other drug dealers in order to get a lower sentence for his son. selling LSD. The cartel realizes John is an informant which leads them on a highway chase and shootout before escaping. United States District Court, S.D. to a corroding of the moral fiber of this country. what happened to james settembrino Post author: Post published: January 31, 2023; Post category: nj certification of lease and registration are in jail, as a consequence. He called back and it was $70,000. Progressive Party ticket. DON FOSTER, U.S. Attorney: Well, do you understand that he Are you crazy?" They tell me all the time that people generally tell the government what they want to hear. What is the real story behind snitch? KnowledgeBurrow.com cooperate and testify against his old-time drug supplier, he could have I mean, even DEA didn't testify. imagine how much damage nine kilograms of cocaine, or converted to In addition to the statute itself, other Circuits provide further guidance. nice car, you have to be selling drugs. contractor who lived in Squaw Valley, Nevada. died on Wednesday April 4, 2018. JAMES SETTEMBRINO: Of course, the first thing is, is that We talk to producer Hiram Garcia about the new Netflix action movie. friends, either. somebody or somewhere, so technically I conspired to get it. WILLEY HUNTLEY: I still say she shouldn't have gone to "TONY": Absolutely- No. NARRATOR: Ron Davis chose early retirement. But with so much at stake, They were inspired by a Frontline documentary about how changes to the federal drug policy of the United States encouraged the incarcerated to snitch on their accomplices.
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what happened to james settembrino
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what happened to james settembrino