Fayne Williams' letter on behalf of husband John, an NBA vet serving a one year prison sentence for falling behind on support for a child for whom he had already paid over $90,000 in child support.

August 23, 2004

Honorable Judge Deborah Chasanow
U.S District Court for the District of Maryland
6500 Cherrywood Lane
Greenbelt, MD  20770-1249 

Dear Judge Chasanow: 

I am respectfully submitting this letter to you to request that you favorably reconsider the sentence recently imposed on my husband, John Williams on June 21, 2004 in the Maryland District Court, Criminal Case #DKC 2002-0441. 

My husband, John Williams has no prior criminal record, but unfortunately received a sentence which I believe has been unfairly imposed.  John was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in a Federal Institution due to Willful Failure to pay Child Support. 

Although you are familiar with the facts surrounding this case, please take a few moments to review the attached timeline summary which clearly demonstrates that John paid child support over a 4 year period, regardless of his employment status.   In fact, John made payments towards the required child support payments due each month, as well the arrears that accumulated over time.  This arrears situation occurred during a period of time when John was unemployed and did not have representation for modification.  

Since John’s arrest in November of 2002, he has been very diligent in making his child support payments and corresponded with the Maryland Court on a regular basis. In fact, John’s 2002 arrest came as a complete shock and surprise to our family because his Los Angeles attorney had been corresponding with the Maryland District Court from 2000 thru 2002 trying to rectify this debt.   

On June 21, 2004, the day of sentencing, John’s attorney presented what we believed was a fair and concrete plan that would have allowed John to pay all monies due towards the arrears, as well as his monthly child support payments.  A copy of a 2-year employment contract was presented which guaranteed his $300,000.00 salary and a payment plan that would have monthly child support payments directly wired from John’s employer to the Maryland Courts. 

Your Honor, the only willful action taken by my husband was his consistent commitment to paying child support, even during times of financial strain and hardship.  John loves all of his children dearly and would not do anything to jeopardize their future or well being.   This unfortunate decision has taken a significant emotional and financial toll on John, his 3 other children, and our entire family. 

If the ultimate goal of the court is to serve the best interest of the child and to re-coup the monies owed, John’s unfair sentencing and conviction does not meet these goals.  Furthermore, because of John’s incarceration nothing can now be paid towards his arrears or monthly child support obligations in Maryland or California where his 3 other children live.  This incarceration will ultimately disrupt their life style. This decision was not based on the best interest of all of his children. 

If you would be so kind as to re-consider John’s sentencing and his recently denied appeal, it would allow him the opportunity to return to work, pay his regularly scheduled child support  payments, and avoid further arrears.   John’s release from incarceration will allow him to continue to be the committed, loving father and husband that he has always been.  

Thank you in advance for your kind and compassionate reconsideration of this matter.   

Respectfully submitted,

Mrs. Fayne Pitts-Williams    

cc: Odessa Palmer Jackson, Esq.
Office of the U.S District Attorney
Suite 4006500 Cherrywood Lane
Greenbelt, MD  20770 

Judge King
4^th Circuit Court of Appeal
Lewis F.  Powell Building, United States Courthouse
1100 Ease Mail Street Richmond VA  23219-3517 

Judge Michael
4^th Circuit Court of Appeals
Lewis F.  Powell Building, United States Courthouse
1100 Ease Mail Street Richmond VA  23219-3517 

Judge Traxler
4^th Circuit Court of Appeal
Lewis F.  Powell Building, United States Courthouse
1100 Ease Mail Street Richmond VA  23219-3517