Help Me Bring My Son Home After Three Long Years!

My name is Faith Lightsy. I'm a single mother, grandmother, photographer, and activist living and working in the Pacific Northwest. Three years ago, my then 16-year-old son, Mason, was arrested on felony charges of armed robbery in the State of Louisiana. He was with the wrong crew at the wrong time. The plan wasn't his. He was simply along for the ride but because he was there he was arrested, too.

Ultimately, his charges included eight felony counts, half of which he wasn't guilty of, in a crime that didn't result in anyone losing their life. He was a minor at the time - merely 16-years-old - my youngest baby caught up in a crime that landed him in custody facing adult charges even though the other minor involved was released with rehab and probation after just a few months.

It's been a very long, grueling, and painful three years awaiting his trial while feeling entirely helpless living so far away from him. Not having the money to hire a quality lawyer to help us navigate the criminal justice system in a state that is known for the highest rates of incarceration in America has left us at the mercy of his public defender as well.

To complicate the situation further, my son, even though biracial like myself, identifies as Black and had his race changed by Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Deputy which has added another layer to the complications of his arrest and confinement. The Louisiana penal system has held my son for 32 months and 19 days without a trial, while I stew in fret and worry unable to do a damn thing about it.

Everything changed last week when he was offered a plea agreement with certain terms that weren't acceptable to him. He ended up counter-offering and his counter-plea was accepted! I found out today, by the grace of God, that my son will be released before we enter 2022. We are not certain of his exact release date just yet, but considering he's served three years already, it could be as quickly as Thanksgiving! I'm overjoyed as you can imagine. As mothers, we want our children safe and thriving. This has been the longest three years of my life and at long last, this awful chapter is coming to an end and my son, now 19, will return home where he belongs.

I'm launching this fundraiser to raise funds to get him home. His release will require me to fly from Portland, Oregon to Monroe, Louisiana, and the two of us will then fly back to Portland together. We may need a rental car, hotel, gas, and food money as well. Any and every bit helps and is deeply, deeply appreciated. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! I look forward to getting him reestablished and on his feet! My baby is coming home!