Born and raised in South Texas, better known as the Rio Grande Valley, in a border town called Mission which historically has been the hub for illegal activity. I became a product of my own environment. All types of illegal activity are generated by all walks of life, from the so-called law-abiding politicians and law enforcement ( Google: Sheriff Trevino of Hidalgo County and son Joseph Trevino ” Panama Task Force” in Mission Texas) to everyday mom and pops. All of them had the same goal in mind: to make a quick American dollar in an impoverished community. Both my father and mother were part of the American population which was less fortunate in areas of academics, education, finances, and sobriety. My parents came from divorced parents who remarried and found themselves having to grow up real quick in order to work and help make ends meet. Lacking the proper education led my parents to low minimum-wage paying jobs which I assume brought discouragement. After years of barely getting by my father at a young age decided to join his stepfather in illegal immigrant smuggling which ultimately led to marijuana smuggling. Both my parents were loving parents and gave us the best things in life they could provide. My mother worked from the moment she was able and never quit until her retirement at the age of 70, she is 74. My father on the other hand worked in the “family business” the majority of his life which was marijuana smuggling. He passed away in 2018 while I was at Three Rivers FCI Medium. Most of my uncles and aunts themselves were involved in illegal activity which later influenced me. What was illegal and wrong for many was normal for my family and a means of getting money. Growing up I saw most of my uncles, aunt, cousins, as well as my father, go away to what I was told at the time ” College “(Federal Prison). I can recall visiting my uncle Augustine Lopez III at El Reno Federal Prison in OKC in the early 80’s. I also recall visiting my father at Big Springs Camp in Texas in the mid 80’s where he was serving time for marijuana possession. I will never forget my parent’s house being raided by the DEA when I arrived from elementary school. My uncle Augustine would later be released only to get murdered in Rio Grande City, Texas on an Easter Sunday . I witnessed my mother hold her brother by what was left of his head. This event only led my family to alcohol abuse which also influenced me to abuse alcohol at an early age in order to cope with the absence of my uncle. Looking back at visiting family members in prison I never thought I’d be serving what started as a 30-year sentence in the same system. I share this not to justify my actions but to give you a glimpse of what I dealt with at such a young age. This is just the tip of the iceberg I do understand that everybody has troubles growing up and not all troubles lead to drug abuse or trafficking, but mine did. Sentences would be different if judges today would take the trauma one endures growing up into consideration before sentencing someone to a long prison sentence.

But despite the 30-year sentence and after spending 17 years in prison I have been able to reflect on my past mistakes. Mistakes that I take full responsibility for especially that of my instant offense. Early on in my incarceration, I decided to make the best of life behind bars. I took a positive approach to my lengthy imprisonment and made significant strides in rehabilitating myself. My post-sentence conduct speaks for itself which shows zero incident report. The BOP has provided many programs that have been beneficial to me like Culinary Arts which I just completed and many other VT programs. One activity that stands out on its own which has been a major factor in my transformation has been programs provided by Religious Services. Early in my incarceration, I decided that my life struggles which led me to my instant offense would not be what defined me. So I embraced my faith in Jesus Christ and enrolled in Biblical Study Courses provided by Berean School of the Bible at Global Universities. This has helped me build up not only myself but others who may be struggling to adjust to life in the prison system. My faith has helped me see beyond myself and my circumstances in order to embrace others. I continue to strive to be better and I know that everything I am doing will benefit me and others once I re-enter society.

Thank you all for allowing me to share a little about myself but most of all I want to thank Kristin and her team at Freedom Grow for making this possible. May the blessings of the Lord be upon you and yours and may you continue to embrace the trials of life.

Psalm 34:19…..”Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.” Allow the afflictions of your life to become your testimony/ministry for from them your Legacy is birthed.

Blessings to all !!
Omar