Internet fraudster, Ramon Abbas popularly known as Ray Hushpuppi, has pleaded for leniency ahead of his court trial in the United States.
Hushpuppi’s performance and relationships with other inmates was evident in his record, which was included in his memorandum disputing the prosecutors’ recommended sentences.
The Internet fraudsters’ report card from the Central Valley Workshop for Prisoners revealed “very good” ratings for attitude, quality of work, reliability, and productivity between July 2021, when he joined, and November 2021, when he concluded work.
“He is currently working within his prison cleaning windows and showers—for which he has received great personal evaluations,” Mr Abbas’ lawyer Louis Shapiro wrote in the memorandum submitted on September 5.
Both the prosecution and defense have disagreed on the proper sentence for Hushpuppi, who was initially arrested in Dubai in June 2020, and then abruptly transferred to the prison in the United States as his trial progressed.
The prosecution, which was led by assistant U.S. Attorney Khaldoun Shobaki, sought an 11-year jail term as well as $2.2 million in restitution and fines. However, the defense council, Mr. Shapiro argued that his client had changed while in prison and should only get a sentence of just approximately 2-years.
Mr. Shapiro said that in addition to caring for his elderly parents in Nigeria, Mr. Abbas also has three young children to support in London, the United States, and Dubai.
The court is set to convene on September 21, to hear the prosecution and defense council’s reasons for and against stiff punishment, before making a final decision on the case.
