- W
Hello to all and best wishes and good health for the New Year. A great injustice has come against our son Lucas. Five years ago, Lucas was staying with family in Brazil and working. While there, he was accused of sexually assaulting an underage girl. Lucas did not commit this crime. We hired a good lawyer and at the trial, Lucas was found innocent on all charges and released. DNA failed to link him to the supposed crime. Shortly after that, he returned home to the USA.
Several months later, the prosecuting attorney appealed the innocent verdict and the case was reopened. Without Luke's presence, without Luke's Lawyer present and without ANY new evidence introduced or another hearing of any kind, the appellate judge overturned the verdict and sentenced Lucas to 9 years in prison. His name was put on Interol.
I know this is hard to believe and how utterly unjust it is, but things are obviously done differently in Brazil. Corruption runs throughout the government and the courts.
With this shadow hanging over Luke, he went on with his life. He joined the Army and served his country for almost 3 years and was honorably discharged. We adopted Luke in Brazil and he is a US citizen.
In May of this year, 5 years after Luke's initial trial and release, while at work, Luke was accosted by federal agents and taken to the West Palm Beach detention center. Luke was denied bail and is being held until the actual extradition hearing. This will happen when the courts re-open for physical hearings probably in Feb or March. . Under the circumstances Luke is holding up remarkably well and is in good spirits.
You might be wondering why it took 5 years for Interpol to come after Luke. We have no idea, but one thing is for sure; he was not hiding.
If Luke is extradited to Brazil he will NOT be going back for another hearing or judicial proceeding. He will go directly to prison for 9 years. The thought of this if hard for us to bear.
We hired a good defense lawyer versed in international law, and we need help. We are appealing to our family, friends, and anyone you know that might take heart and help. If you would share this link on your Face Book that would help a lot. We humbly ask that you prayerfully consider helping us with his legal expenses and please pray for Lucas. Every dollar helps, THANK YOU for consideration.
Gratefully,
Tom, Angelina, and Lucas
Philippians 4:19
Several months later, the prosecuting attorney appealed the innocent verdict and the case was reopened. Without Luke's presence, without Luke's Lawyer present and without ANY new evidence introduced or another hearing of any kind, the appellate judge overturned the verdict and sentenced Lucas to 9 years in prison. His name was put on Interol.
I know this is hard to believe and how utterly unjust it is, but things are obviously done differently in Brazil. Corruption runs throughout the government and the courts.
With this shadow hanging over Luke, he went on with his life. He joined the Army and served his country for almost 3 years and was honorably discharged. We adopted Luke in Brazil and he is a US citizen.
In May of this year, 5 years after Luke's initial trial and release, while at work, Luke was accosted by federal agents and taken to the West Palm Beach detention center. Luke was denied bail and is being held until the actual extradition hearing. This will happen when the courts re-open for physical hearings probably in Feb or March. . Under the circumstances Luke is holding up remarkably well and is in good spirits.
You might be wondering why it took 5 years for Interpol to come after Luke. We have no idea, but one thing is for sure; he was not hiding.
If Luke is extradited to Brazil he will NOT be going back for another hearing or judicial proceeding. He will go directly to prison for 9 years. The thought of this if hard for us to bear.
We hired a good defense lawyer versed in international law, and we need help. We are appealing to our family, friends, and anyone you know that might take heart and help. If you would share this link on your Face Book that would help a lot. We humbly ask that you prayerfully consider helping us with his legal expenses and please pray for Lucas. Every dollar helps, THANK YOU for consideration.
Gratefully,
Tom, Angelina, and Lucas
Philippians 4:19