Jon Cowden, known as "The Forgotten Anon", is currently incarcerated in the Federal medium security prison in Victorville, CA, in relation to charges of violations of the CFAA as a result of his online activism:
Jon served a 15 month sentence for hacking the computer systems of the office of Mayor Francis Slay of St. Louis to prevent police brutality during the Occupy camp evictions. He was part of the Anonymous Operation, #OpFreePalestine, hacking into Israeli websites as part of the ongoing Anonymous operations in support of the citizens of Gaza. Jon was arrested and re-imprisoned for possession of a smart phone and an iPad (neither of which was an actual violation of his Supervised Release terms), and for having a pocket knife in his bedroom.
The prison food has been making Jon sick, to the point where his hair is falling out and he’s losing weight; he is in urgent need of money so that he can buy food like canned tuna to supplement the inadequate prison rations. He is ineligible for a prison job to pay for it on his own, due to the relatively short duration of his sentence.
In addition to addressing Jon's health needs, we'd like to make his remaining months there more bearable: toothpaste, soap, comfortable shoes, phone calls, books, and so on help humanize an inherently dehumanizing situation. Jon's PTSD isn't helped by prison hardships, and any donation, however small, will make a positive and meaningful impact on his life, for which we will be forever grateful.
Jon's service dog Chazz is patiently waiting for his master, and being looked after by Jon's girlfriend back home in San Diego. Chazz has developed PTSD of his own, a stress-related skin and nervous condition which requires daily medication. Any donations exceeding Jon's immediate needs will go to pay for Chazz's medication, since his carer is disabled and cannot afford to cover his bills.
The next priority in this fundraiser is Jon's car. His girlfriend uses it to take Chazz to the vet and to visit Jon on the weekends (300 miles round trip) so giving it up or selling it aren't really options at the moment; but we need to repair a window, recently smashed in a break-in, and keep the registration current (Jon will need the car for transportation to work upon his release).
Finally, Jon's girlfriend has been struggling to keep up with the financial strain she's been put under as a result of Jon's incarceration. Since his arrest last July, she has had the added expenses of getting Jon's car out of impound (a previous fundraiser only raised a small portion of these fees), vet visits & food for Chazz (at least $150/month), phone calls (which cost in excess of $80/month), sending Jon money for food when possible, and trips up to Victorville to visit Jon (appx $100/trip). She has disabilities/health issues which prevent her from working, so is on a fixed income which has not been sufficient to cover these expenses on top of her rent, food, medication, and other bills.
Every penny you donate (even though pennies don't exist anymore!) will be used for its intended purpose, and if you'd like, you can even donate directly via Jon's and Chazz's Wish Lists. Please help us support our incarcerated brother, and help keep he and his pup healthy and happy in the months between now and when they are re-united.
Here are some of the ways your money can help:
- $10 = one week of hygeine products
- $20 = food from the vending machines for Jon when his girlfriend visits
- $40 = one week of food
- $40 = one month of hygeine products
- $45 = enough gas for Jon's girlfriend to visit him
- $50 = a pair of comfortable shoes for Jon
- $65 = enough gas for Jon's girlfriend to visit and buy him food from the vending machines there!
- $70 = one month of medication for Chazz
- $80 = one month of phone calls
- $85 = one month of food for Chazz
- $120 = one month of food for Jon
- $120 = hygeine products to last until Jon's release
- $325 = replaces broken windows in Jon's car
- $640 = food for now through Jon's release
Not a fan of crowdfunding pages? There are more ways you can help!
Send books to Jon:
Jon's Amazon Wishlist (Note: The prison only allows paperback books. Also, Jon doesn't receive any "gift card" messages included with the books, so please don't be offended if he doesn't acknowledge your gift personally - rest assured, your gift and kindness are very much appreciated! )
Send food & pet supplies to Chazz:
Chazz's Amazon Wishlist (Note: These will be delivered to Chazz's home, which he shares with Jon, Jon's girlfriend, and a cat named Marley!)
To put money on Jon's books directly (for commissary):
via Western Union:
- Account Number: 37215298COWDEN
- Attention Line: Jonathan Cowden
- Code City: FBOP, DC
via MoneyGram:
- Account Number: 37215298COWDEN
- Company Name: Federal Bureau of Prisons
- City & State: Washington, DC
- Receive Code: 7932
- Beneficiary: Jonathan Cowden
- Select "Quick Collect." Enter the Receive Code (7932) and the amount you are sending
(more info on sending money to inmates)
Write to Jon!
Jonathan Cowden 37215-298
FCI Victorville Medium I
FEDERAL
CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION
P.O. BOX 3725
ADELANTO, CA 92301
(info on sending mail to inmates)
