Hello. My name is Ryan Thurlow. I know that some of you may already know me, but for those who don't, please allow me to introduce myself and to elaborate on my situation. I am currently incarcerated in a Federal Correctional Institution. In early 2010, when I was 22 years old, I moved from San Diego, California to Spring Lake, North Carolina. My whole purpose for moving was to get away from a particular character of people I had somehow associated with and to get a fresh start. The move was successful and I was very happy to be reunited with my parents and siblings who I had not seen in many years. Even to this day, I am very family oriented and have a great support system through my family. Once I got situated in North Carolina, I proceeded to work 2 jobs, one as a sales associate, and the other as a worker in a poultry factory. Due to the fact that my father served over 20 years of his life fighting for our country in the Navy, and my mother has worked with children in elementary schools for over 12 years, I was ingrained with a tenacious work ethic and quickly moved up in position and pay at both of my jobs. I was renting my own house, spending time volunteering at my parents church, and everything was going great. Unfortunately, I somehow ended up gravitating toward the same type of people that I left California to get away from. I met a guy at work and befriended him. We got along great and he was a decent guy, but was unfortunately a drug addict and began using various drugs around me. I have a history of drug use, and once I started hanging around with him everyday, my addiction got the best of me and I began to use drugs daily. Before I knew it, I was making decisions that I would never had made had I been clear headed and sober. After a few months of using, I started missing my rent payments, car payments, etc..., due to the fact that I was spending all of my income on drugs. I somehow ended up making some very bad decisions that would haunt me for the rest of my life, and I aided and abetted in robberies of a bank and some convenient stores. Even though I only acted as the get-away driver, nobody was hurt, and there were no victims, I am beyond remorseful for my actions and participation in these events, regardless of how minimal it was. As a result for the crimes committed, I was sentenced to 32 years in Federal Prison. A large part of this was because I did not have the funds necessary to hire a lawyer to represent me in fighting my case. Therefore I was appointed a public defender, who I feel did not honestly have my best intentions at heart. If I had the money to hire a lawyer to represent me, the outcome of my case would have been drastically different. Being in prison since 2010 has opened my eyes and taught me many things. I have realized how precious life really is, and how easily we may take things for granted. Since my incarceration, I have given my life to God and tried everyday to improve myself in some aspect. I have taken numerous drug rehabilitation classes, participated in various programs, and tried my hardest to stay out of trouble. Addiction is a very real disease and it affects millions of people throughout various walks of life. Nobody is perfect, but I feel I have made major progress against my addiction and in trying to do everything I can do to become a better person in any possible manner and a productive member of society. My loved ones have been doing research on my behalf, and we believe we have found a lawyer who can get my lengthy sentence reduced to something more reasonable. The total cost for his services is $18,000. Any amount that you may be able to donate will go toward the lawyers fees, and to trying to give me a second chance at life. Every dollar raised will bring me one step closer to freedom and the opportunity to redeem myself in life. I am not a bad person, I just chose to make bad decisions. I accept full responsibility for my actions and do not try to place the blame on anyone but myself. Not many things will open your eyes and put things in perspective as having 32 years of your life taken from you will. I want an opportunity to show my family, friends, society, and myself that I have changed. Once released from prison, I would like to become a drug counselor for kids or something similar, because I want to help prevent kids from coming to these types of places, and I feel I have first hand knowledge at how easy it is to get caught up in a negative lifestyle. I want to use my negative experiences as learning tools for others. If by chance you aren't able to make any donations, all I ask is that you pray for me. Pray that Gods will be done in my life, and that I have the strength and wisdom to accept whatever that may be. I appreciate your time and support. God Bless.

Feel free to contact Lauren at: laurenagutierrez@me.com or (408)507-7779

You can also write me:   Ryan Thurlow, #06788-298, 37910 N. 45th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85086