Gucci Mane’s 1017 Records artist Ralo (real name Terrell Davis) was busted with 444 pounds of marijuana on a private plane in 2018 and has been behind bars ever since. But in a new interview with TMZ Live, activist Angelos Weldon explained how a proposed clemency program for the Biden Administration could benefit the incarcerated rapper and eventually spring him from prison.
Speaking to TMZ, Weldon revealed the White House reached out to him about a program that would primarily focus on cases with harsh sentences for non-violent marijuana offenses and added, “There are people still in there who are locked up for marijuana are probably the most deserving group of offenders, given that it’s legalized in more than half the country.”
In a letter to President Joe Biden, Waldon argued Ralo’s being punished “for violating the same federal statute many entrepreneurs and corporations violate every day in 36 states across the country, who are not subject to federal prosecution.” He again cited how marijuana laws have drastically changed over the years.
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The letter was signed by dozens of celebrities, including Drake, T.I., Killer Mike, Meek Mill, Lil Baby, T.I., 2 Chainz, Kodak Black, former Fugees affiliate John Forte and Dame Dash. Ralo was touched by all the support and issued a statement to his Instagram account earlier this month.
TODAY MY LEGAL TEAM DELIVERED DOCUMENTS DIRECTLY IN THE HANDS OF PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN AND HIS ADMINISTRATION BEGGING FOR A PARDON FOR MYSELF,” Ralo said. “DRAKE WAS #1 ON THAT LIST IN SUPPORT OF MY PARDON, ALONG WITH DOZENS OF OTHER HIGH RANKING PEOPLE WITHIN OUR COUNTRY & THE HIP HOP COMMUNITY.
“WE THANK HIM AND EVERYONE THATS PUTTING IN EFFORT INTO THIS CAUSE. @forbes AN OTHERS ARE USING MY CASE AS THE FACE FOR JUSTICE ON MARIJUANA. WE CALLING FOR PUBLIC AND ALL INFLUENCERS SUPPORT.”
Ralo was granted $250,000 bond last July, but it was revoked in December 2020 after he allegedly sold cocaine in prison. Prosecutors accused Ralo of using code words to set up deals and court records showed he’d been caught with an Apple Watch in his cell.
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U.S. District Judge Michael L. Brown said at the time, “[Prosecutors] presented evidence that [Ralo] had continued participating in the distribution of drugs following his arrest in this case and while in custody.”
Gucci Mane 1017 Rapper Ralo Thanks Drake For Getting On Joe Biden's Radar
Brown continued, “Those documents demonstrate Defendant Davis’s efforts to continue distributing narcotics after his arrest in this case. There simply can be no other conclusion from his efforts to establish pricing and distribution for ‘8-balls’ and ‘grams,’ his instruction against the use of ‘shake,’ and his warning to be wary of law enforcement ‘listening.’”
Ralo faces up to eight years in prison if convicted on conspiracy charges. Find Waldon’s letter in its entirety here.
