Angelita Able - Michigan
#258511
State: Michigan
Sentence: 20-60 years (2 consecutive sentences, 10-30 years for each sentence)
Offense: Conspiracy to Deliver Cocaine and Delivery of Cocaine, 225-649 grams
Priors: None
Date of Sentencing: 8/19/97
Date of Birth: 7/25/1973
Parole Eligibility Date: 6/1/2017
Nature of Offense: Monroe County authorities first became suspicious of Angelita and Reggie Alford, her boyfriend and the father of her three children, when their names surfaced during the investigation of a local drug dealer. After undercover officers purchased drugs from the dealer on several occasions, they identified Angelita and Reggie’s home address as a possible cocaine source. Unfortunately, their involvement with the drug dealer, an acquaintance of theirs, would eventually lead to the couple’s arrest.
On March 27, 1996, the suspected drug dealer called Angelita and Reggie’s residence shortly after agreeing to procure 10 ounces of cocaine for an undercover officer. Later that afternoon, officers witnessed the dealer pick Reggie up at his home and travel to Angelita’s grandmother’s house. Once Reggie left with him, officers continued surveillance and saw Angelita place a bag in the trunk of her vehicle and drive to her grandmother’s house where Reggie and the dealer were conversing in the driveway. Although officers admit that they did not witness any drugs exchange hands, they allege that the dealer bought cocaine from Reggie at this time. After he left, the dealer convened with an undercover officer and sold him 10 ounces of cocaine.
Although neither Angelita nor Reggie’s fingerprints were on the bag of cocaine undercover officers purchased from the drug dealer, they alleged it was the bag Angelita had put in her trunk. On a subsequent search of Reggie and Angelita’s home, an additional 433 grams of cocaine were discovered. Angelita and Reggie were charged with conspiracy because officers had purchased drugs from the dealer on numerous occasions prior to March 27. With no priors or record of substance abuse, Angelita received a sentence of 20 to 60 years.
Mandatory Minimum Sentence: Angelita was found guilty at trial in Judge Lavoy’s court in Monroe County. Judge Lavoy used his ability to depart from the mandatory sentence for substantial and compelling reasons and so reduced the 20-30 years sentences to 10-30 years. As a result of this departure, Angelita was not eligible to benefit from the 2003 reforms, which would have made her eligible for parole after 10 years on each count.
Sentences of Others Involved: Reggie Alford received two 15-30 year sentences, to be served consecutively and their friend received a sentence of 20-50 years.
Personal Background: Angelita was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan by her great-grandmother. She has no knowledge of her father, but maintained a close relationship with her mother who lived nearby. Angelita dropped out of high school in the 10th grade when she became pregnant with the first of her three children by Reggie Alford, but later went on to obtain her GED. She then continued her education by attending Career Works, the Professional Careers Institute and cosmetology school in Detroit. However, Angelita struggled to begin a career while raising her three young daughters and consequently was limited to working various temporary, part-time jobs.
Angelita was 23 years old and her daughters, Che’Nae, Re’Nae, and Roshinique were 8, 5, and 1 ½ respectively when she was sentenced. Angelita reports that she, Reggie, and their daughters had a close family relationship for eight years prior to their arrest and trial. While Angelita’s incarceration has been difficult on the family, all three of her children have taken it in stride and continue to excel in school. Since her incarceration, Angelita has participated in numerous substance abuse and educational courses and received training to become both a paralegal and a dental technician.
Compiled from inmate information and Pre-Sentence Report.
Updated by BA 9/20/05