Judge gives drug, weapons convict 55 years

modbee ^ | 11-16-04

[LouAvul]

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - A judge who condemned federal sentencing laws as "unjust, cruel and irrational" said he had little choice Tuesday but to sentence a first-time drug offender caught with a handgun to 55 years and one day in prison.

U.S. District Judge Paul Cassell gave record producer Weldon Angelos the minimum 55 years for carrying the gun - and one day for dealing marijuana and money laundering while in possession of the weapon.

Cassell said Angelos, 25, will serve more time than rapists, murderers or airline hijackers - and won't be eligible for release until he's 70.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Prosecutor Robert Lunt said Angelos has been suspected of drug trafficking and money laundering for years and got what he deserved.

Being suspicious is quite a heinous crime.

[Viet-Boat-Rider]

Lets see...he had a gun....he was laundering money.....and dealing drugs.....and these are just the things that he got CAUGHT doing...

Gee Judge, lets let him off for timed served and let him move in with your 16 year old daughter!

[endthematrix]

I think it's the gun that gives him the Fed time. If it was just dealing (without the gun) I think he could have have gotten...nothing.

Is this Project Safe Neighborhoods?

[CWOJackson]

"Last year's trial made news when the witness list included Snoop Dogg and other artists who had worked with Angelos, but Bad Azz was the only big name artist who ended up testifying."

Interesting group of associates.

[BJClinton]

...but Bad Azz was the only big name artist...

Who is Bad Azz?

[msnimje]

Cassell said Angelos, 25, will serve more time than rapists, murderers or airline hijackers

Rapists, murderers and airline hijackers should get more time.

[CWOJackson]

One of his Extravagant Records clients?

[CWOJackson]

Here's his bio: Hailing from the sunny streets of the LBC, Bad Azz continues the proud tradition of Westside Gangsta Rap. Backed with serious bass bumps, ultratight beats and a bevy of assorted synths, he drops solid flows, offering a glimpse into the life of a G.

[endthematrix]

I think this is Project Safe Neighborhoods.

In another case from the same Judge, I found this sentancing: "up to 10 years in prison on the gun and ammunition counts, and one year in prison for the drug conviction" but it seems that it is still light for the crime.

[BJClinton]

That's original. But seriously, was this a 55 yr conviction on one firearm possession or were there multiple convictions?

[BJClinton]

I suppose I could actually read the entire article:

...convicted him of twice wearing a gun in an ankle holster and once carrying it in a briefcase

[CWOJackson]

The story is very light on details so I don't know.

On an aside, this new thread just popped up: "Police Seeking G-Unit Rapper Young Buck"

Whatever this "G-Unit" is it must be special. Notice Bad Azz is from the G.

[BJClinton]

Notice Bad Azz is from the G

Forgive my rural Texan-ness, what is this "the G" you speak of?

[HiTech RedNeck]

Pretty much law abiding people who make an artist career out of looking "bad."

One thing sure, if the US Supreme Court ever woke up and put an end to the cancer of the commerce clause, this kind of ridiculous Federal persecution (I refuse to say prosecution) would end overnight.

[hatfieldmccoy]

Hmmm. so how did this so called first time offender end up with a Federal rap? (pun intended).......my common sense antenna are up. I get the sense that this is just 10% of the real story.

[CWOJackson]

I don't know. In the Rolling Stone bio of Bad Azz it ends with "offering a glimpse into the life of a G."

Now here is a new headline about "Police Seeking G-Unit Rapper Young Buck".

I'd like to know myself. Considering the "G" types this person was involved with, I'd say there is a lot more to this case then what we see here.

[CWOJackson]

Pretty much law abiding people who make an artist career out of looking "bad."

Which explains why the police are looking for one of them now?

[HiTech RedNeck]

The cancer of the commerce clause.

[HiTech RedNeck]

And this explains why police are looking for a banker, a baker, a cigarette maker now? (Which somewhere they surely are.) Your argument is a nonsequitur of innuendo.