Statement by Casey Goonan Support Committee and Attorney

Today at the federal building in downtown Oakland, dozens of friends, comrades and family gathered to support Casey at their sentencing hearing Before a courtroom with pews full of supporters, both the US Attorney and Casey’s legal team made their arguments before the judge in addition to Casey themselves addressing the court and reading a prepared statement.

In alignment with the plea deal between the prosecution and the defense, the prosecution asked for a sentence of 188 months with an additional 15 years of close supervision afterwards that would include, among other restrictions, no possession of a computer or digital device without the approval of a parole officer, the installation of surveillance software on any device if possession was granted. The defense didn’t contest the close supervision but proposed a sentence of 96 months.

After a recount of his reasoning and overall position, the judge was vicious, pronouncing a sentence of 235 months and then 15 years of close supervision. This is 20 years, well beyond the plea deal agreement, and nearly the limit of the federal sentencing guidelines of 240 months.

The prosecution also requested that the judge recommend Casey be placed in an especially restrictive “Communication Management Unit” (CMU). The judge agreed to recommend this placement, but the BOP isn’t subject to the judge’s recommendations on placement. Placement will be up to the BOP and their own processes.

Statement on Behalf of Casey Goonan by Attorney Jeff Wozniak, approved by Casey

“Today, Casey Goonan gathered with their community to demand an end to the ongoing genocide in Gaza, to stand in support of Palestinian liberation, and to receive their prison sentence.

The context of Casey’s actions should not be forgotten. They sought to raise awareness of the U.S. government’s support for the genocide in Gaza, a support that remains unabated. They recognize now that they were in the midst of a mental health crisis and that they should have chosen a different path in their activism.

Casey is remorseful for the harm they caused to their community, and is ready to enter a new phase as an activist inside prison. Casey’s case concluded today, but the fight for Palestinian Liberation continues.”

This is a devastating turning point in Casey’s case and indeed, their whole life. This also marks a shift in what support for them will look like. But in immediate terms, here are some notes on what Casey will be going through and what we can expect in the next few months.

Transfer

Currently incarcerated at Santa Rita, a county jail, Casey will be getting transferred to a federal facility. Multiple bureaucratic processes determine when and how things happen. but the legal team advised us that Casey will likely be quickly transferred to Taft C.I., a federal facility in California’s Central Valley while the federal intake and classification process begins. Casey will drop off locator systems each time they are in transit and then pop back up when they arrive at the next. It’s important not to be alarmed by this and know that it is typical. While the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) puts Casey through all their intake and classification processes, Casey’s location will be in flux as they most likely will be moved through several federal facilities before they reach their long term placement. Transfer also means Casey will be leaving their books, commissary, and nearly all personal items behind. That stuff doesn’t travel with you.

Intake and classification

Just like state systems’, the feds have a laborious intake process where you go to a transfer center (or multiple transfer centers) as the BOP goes through your case, security profile, charges, etc. to determine your security classification and, correspondingly, to determine where you will be placed. This process will likely take months.

Geography and being close for family and visits is considered but is far from the primary concern of the BOP. Security classification is the primary variable for BOP placement and facilities vary widely in their restrictions and security levels. The nature of Casey’s charges preclude them being in a minimum level camp but the BOP uses a classification regime that includes a wide selection of variables, so Casey options for placement span a wide range of situations.

Staying in touch with Casey

They will be bouncing around a lot at first so mail getting to them will be hit and miss. People going through intake can receive mail, but know that, as always, mailrooms process mail erratically and Casey’s location will change without advance notice. Also, maintaining responsible correspondence habits remains very important!

We will be tracking Casey and publish updates with solid info as we get it. We will also be sending updates on what different fed yards and conditions are like and how it effects not only Casey’s daily life inside but how it will determine what our outside support needs to look like.

In closing, a note from Casey:

“Thanks to everybody out there who has shown me love and offered support through this time. I wish every prisoner could experience the level of support you all have shown to me. In here, I’ve done my best to show my love to all my fellow prisoners and I remain steadfast to the movement to Palestinian liberation and the movements for decolonization and abolition worldwide.”

Love and Struggle,
Free Palestine!

CSC

Fundraiser for ongoing support of Casey: chuffed.org/project/supportcas…
Instagram: @freecaseynow
CSC email: cscommittee@proton.me

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