Leniency sought for Ravenel
Prosecutors say ex-treasurer, co-defendant earned reduction
By Schuyler Kropf
Prosecutors have asked for a reduced sentence for former state Treasurer Thomas Ravenel and his cocaine case co-defendant but have not offered a suggestion of how light or heavy his punishment should be.
Court papers filed Thursday by the U.S. Attorney's Office say Ravenel and co-defendant Michael L. Miller both cooperated with authorities.
Ravenel and Miller gave complete debriefings of their participation in the drug world and also on the participation of "others involved in the conspiracy," the filing said.
Each man "provided the government with historical information concerning drug distribution in the Charleston, S.C., area," the papers said.
No recommendation on the type or form of sentence each should face was listed in the government's motion.
Ravenel and Miller are scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Columbia at 1 p.m. today to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Joseph Anderson Jr. for their role in the cocaine conspiracy that ended Ravenel's political career. Previous court filings list the advisory sentencing guideline for Ravenel at 10 to 16 months before any departures or variances are considered. He also faces the possibility of a significant fine.
Ravenel was indicted in June on one count of conspiracy to possess cocaine with the intent to distribute. He was accused of using and sharing the drug with friends but not selling it. He later resigned. Miller, a Mount Pleasant deejay, supplied Ravenel with the drugs, police said. Both men pleaded guilty in September.
Thursday's filing said the pair gave information that helped the government indict another individual who is now a fugitive from justice. That man is believed to be former Mount Pleasant wine expert Pasquale Pellicoro, who reportedly fled to Europe and remains at large.
The filing also said information provided by the two men helped the government expand "its investigation concerning other individuals." No other targets have been announced.
Reach Schuyler Kropf at skropf@postandcourier.com or 937-5551.
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Comments
lillycollette (anonymous) says...
Quote: Ravenel and Miller gave complete debriefings of their participation in the drug world and also on the participation of "others involved in the conspiracy," the filing said. Each man "provided the government with historical information concerning drug distribution in the Charleston, S.C., area," the papers said."
I think that this is what the public is most interested in now. I know I am.
March 14, 2008 at 4:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lillycollette (anonymous) says...
I agree with: ": [A]iding the police in prosecuting others is usually grounds for some favorable adjustment of the sentence."
However, where no further investigation / prosecution are in the works then I would take a stern view that a favorable adjustment of the sentence is an abuse of discretion on the part of the judge.
March 14, 2008 at 6:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
abitskeptical (anonymous) says...
I am curious as to why/how there was such a quick indictment on Pellicoro....which seems to have been based solely on the word of Ravenel and Miller (in order to appear cooperative? in order to get a reduced charge/sentence?)
BUT,after all of their cooperation not one other name has been revealed...
March 14, 2008 at 6:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
Pick one: The wagons have circled, are circling, or will circle. Answer: All (as needed).
March 14, 2008 at 8:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
What would a regular otherwise upstanding first-time offender get?
March 14, 2008 at 8:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BillMan (anonymous) says...
I would be shocked if they indict more "users" on conspiracy charges, how about the dealers and distributors (where did Miller get his cocaine from?) that he was doleing out the past couple of years! Miller said the 2 guys the feds were questioning him about didnt even really have a role in this thing, this seems like a bogus investigation!
March 14, 2008 at 9:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BillMan (anonymous) says...
Bets on the sentencing?
Ravenel- probation to 6 months
Miller- 6 months to 2 years (2 Charges)
March 14, 2008 at 9:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
whatelseisthere (anonymous) says...
The placement of the article in the newspaper is interesting. Methinks PM must be a little nervous....
Ravenel is not a "regular otherwise upstanding first-time offender" ....he was an elected official who swore to uphold the law. He must meet a higher standard, with higher penalties.
March 14, 2008 at 9:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KidYendor (anonymous) says...
Ravenel and Miller should be set free and Ravenel should be admonished to run on a drug legalization platform if he should be a candidate in the future.
March 14, 2008 at 10:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ChrisPia (anonymous) says...
Ravenel apologized to the state and to his family.
Ravenel said, "First I'd like to say I'm deeply disappointed in myself for - of the circumstances surrounding my presence here today due to the personal mistakes I've made in my life. Second most important, I want to offer a heartfelt apology to the state of South Carolina, to the people of South Carolina and to my family. I am deeply sorry. Now, in the best interest of our state I believe I must resign the position, Treasurer in the state of South Carolina, and I have so informed the governor that effective as of today, I do resign."
WIS CHANNEL 10 News August 2,2007
****Conspiracy By The FBI? Don't Think so!********
March 14, 2008 at 10:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cnstreet (anonymous) says...
Both will get probation because they have been cooperative and are first time offenders. Despite two charges Miller has the same sentencing guidelines. The judge will be too afraid to give Miller a heavier sentence because of fear of being called a racist. Why does anyone want them to go to prison? Our prisons are full enough. We need only to send violent criminals.
March 14, 2008 at 10:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Corder2007 (anonymous) says...
how in the world does anyone know their record and if they are or are not 1st time offenders? It is b/c of whom ravenel is that he is getting favors from the solicitors office........BS. Any "regular" citizen would not be given "favors", information or not!
March 14, 2008 at 11:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ChrisPia (anonymous) says...
Corder2007...Depending On The Information he is giving.He Might be deserving of those favors...This couldbe bigger than most can imagine!
March 14, 2008 at 11:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Corder2007 (anonymous) says...
OK Chris I will give you that one but if it were you or I (keep in mind i dont know who u are and vice versa) but assuming you are the average citizen as I am I dont see myself getting break no matter what I give them in the line of helpful information. Just like the inmates who were released "accidentally"; they will probably be issued another charge for not coming back when this all came out and the CCDC officer (s) who screwed up will not get a bit of reprimand! the new solicitor is not going to piss of the ravenel family, trust me! it is all in whom you are and whom you know! If it were my husband he would not be getting a break and his people are just as influential as ravenel's people!
March 14, 2008 at 11:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cnstreet (anonymous) says...
Corder2007 "the new solicitor is not going to piss of the ravenel family, trust me! it is all in whom you are and whom you know!"
I assume you are referring to Scarlett Wilson? I don't think her office has ever been a part of this case. I think this has always been handled in US courts, not district.
March 14, 2008 at 12:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CHRISJIII (anonymous) says...
Can't wait to see what happens.
March 14, 2008 at 12:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Corder2007 (anonymous) says...
ON cnstreet I will be glad to accept my mistake in assuming it was in charleston county but still the ravenel name plus a few others practically run this state........so once again NO ONE is going to piss them off!!!
March 14, 2008 at 12:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cnstreet (anonymous) says...
I hate to break it to you, but prominent Charleston families don't mean jack to people of the midlands and the upstate.
March 14, 2008 at 12:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CHRISJIII (anonymous) says...
cnstreet: They barely matter here either, but some are intoxicated by nostalgia.
March 14, 2008 at 1:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cnstreet (anonymous) says...
I totally agree with you.
March 14, 2008 at 1:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Corder2007 (anonymous) says...
no one should be sent for snorting cocaine? OMG ok what about cooking it or smoking it? Good lord mayor what are you on? Glue? I catch my 12 year old with drugs and I will put him in lock up personally and then rehab. It is my job to keep him off of the drugs and steer him down the right path in life. those that choose to do drugs, which are illegal (to purchase/to sell) deserve what ever sentence they get!
March 14, 2008 at 1:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
statusquo (anonymous) says...
Thank goodness, there is unusually intelligent dialogue going on here, until the last two comments. The fact that Ravenel and Miller both talked shouldn't but likely will set Ravenel free but trust me Mr. Miller is going to jail unfortunately his dad isn't Cousin Arthur. Remember this day the people of SC are setting a dangerous precedent that will affect the prosecution of drug dealers forever.
March 14, 2008 at 1:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
Prominent Charleston families do not and never have given jack what the rest of the state or the locals think.
March 14, 2008 at 1:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JohnS (anonymous) says...
It's just powder cocaine. It's not crack. Three months house arrest plus payment for the courts. This is what anyone else would recieve.
March 14, 2008 at 1:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Girleygirl (anonymous) says...
What is the difference between coke and crack?
They both can kill you, both are illegal, so why should a crack dealer get more of a sentence compared to a cocaine dealer? They both are selling illegal drugs that can kill.
What about meth dealers- should they have a different sentences than someone that sells Heroin. What about those prescription drugs in the medicine cabinet that are being sold illegal to our teenagers in high school? My point is this, if its illegal no matter what the drug of choice is, your sentence should be the same. Why are we putting drugs on a scale of 1-10 10 being the "best" drug? Let me ask this, what is the better drug and why?
No matter what the negative impact on a crack head or a coke head is the same. So why do we need to set different sentences guidelines?
March 14, 2008 at 2:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ChrisPia (anonymous) says...
I Believe the charge was conspiracy to DISTRIBUTE Not SNORT..
March 14, 2008 at 2:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CHRISJIII (anonymous) says...
Good question Girleygirl.
March 14, 2008 at 2:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Corder2007 (anonymous) says...
coke is the powder (can be snorted, can be liquified and shot, can be eaten etc and crack is the cooked form of the powder and it forms into a rock. Ref: nursing school in charleston 1987/1988. plus i have an ex husband who was a regular user of coke hence that is why he is an ex! it does awful things to a person and he was the biggest S.O.B. when he did that stuff. Could not take it anymore and left after being married to 1him for 10 years
March 14, 2008 at 3:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Joe (anonymous) says...
You people kill me...That boy hasnt hurt anyone...I cant understand why any of you want to see him go to jail. Are you jealous because he has money?...
His prominent name isn't and cannot save his butt from prison, but using your head and hiring the best lawyer you can afford, can and will. He's never been in trouble before and had he not held a public office he could have sat out in the harbor on his Yacht with Ashley Dupre and partied his ass off and nobody would have cared. But the political parties hate each other so much to the point where if theres dirt, it will be found...And That, people is the only reason he was brought down...politics. And I'd still take him over Hillary or Obama.
I've much experience with courtrooms, without the luxury of a prominent family and I've had more success than not. Its extremely rare for a first time drug offender to go to prison...no matter who you are.
Ravenel for President...
(I'm Joe and I approve this message...)
March 14, 2008 at 6:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCgal (anonymous) says...
Where's the justice?
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/sean...
March 14, 2008 at 11:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sumDJiam (anonymous) says...
I can't sign that as of Today's ruling, sorry. lol, but not really lol...just l.
March 15, 2008 at 12:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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