Friends later picked him up. that were uncovered could be heard on appeal. About six months ago, Tanner's sentence of life imprisonment was reduced to 30 yearsbecause of changes made in 2014 to the federal sentencing guidelines. No new date has been established, After five days of rapes and beatings, which left the woman with two broken ribs, she ultimately managed to slip from underneath Tanner as he slept, and ran for help to a neighbors home. ", 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Reed used her teaching background to tutor inmates and advance childrens programs while incarcerated. McDonald was about 24 years into a life prison sentence for drug trafficking and money laundering. "That's a hard feeling, waking up knowing you're going to die in there," he said. slideshow, timeline and related documents, "I was set. Tanner is 40 years old. I have to see where Im at, he said. Tanner and four others convicted of drug and financial crimes won presidential clemency, all of them cases that were pushed by prison reform advocate and Trump ally Alice Johnson. Whatever they made him out to be back 12, 13, 14, years ago, hes not that person no more, Alston said. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected. Calumet City mayor taken to hospital after 4-vehicle crash, Slideshow: A look back: Charles "Duke" Tanner, Serena Williams says her daughter doesn't like playing tennis, FIFA called "tone deaf" for appointing supermodel as ambassador, Lawsuit alleges NFL database contains lewd photos of fans and cheerleaders, Dan Snyder is under investigation over line of credit taken out by Commanders. For more information on Sen. Melton, his legislative agenda or other State Senate business call 1-800 382-9467 or visit, NOTE: A photo of Sen. Eddie Melton can be downloaded by clicking, Melton Economic Development Bill for Gary and NWI Passes Senate 48-0, Pols Juvenile Justice Bill Passes the Senate. Thanks for contacting us. wedding date, and their son had just turned 2 years old. When he was arrested, Tanner was an undefeated light heavyweight boxer from Gary who had been in a televised fight on ESPN. gang. You can cancel at any time. State Senator Eddie Melton (D-Gary), who has worked for several years with the Trump administration to facilitate Charles Tanners release, had the following statement in response to the news of Tanner finally being granted clemency. Charles "Duke" Tanner won 90 fights as an amateur and was unbeaten in 19 fights as a professional. Not only is he very excited to get back to his family, but hes already looking at ways he can help bring positive changes to the City of Gary. Tanner worked to turn his life around immediately after his arrest focusing on educational courses and completing hundreds of hours of educational programming. Though the house was a gift from the late queen . "I'm not guilty because I'm not no leader of no drug-gang Today Tanner is a free man because of the compassion of President Trump. "I was in a that would have helped (Tanner), but they just weren't brought His sentence since has been reduced. John Bolen, a small business owner who used his boat to transport cocaine from the Bahamas to Florida, was more than 13 years into a sentence of life imprisonment. Driver in ditch nearly 5 times the legal limit, Porter County police say. Charles "Duke" Tanner is pictured in 2015 at U.S. penitentiary McCreary located in Pine Knot, Kentucky. Glimpses of the home were also seen recently in the couple's Netflix docuseries "Harry & Meghan.". Charles Moss Duke Jr. (born October 3, 1935) is an American former astronaut, United States Air Force (USAF) officer and test pilot. CAE Listening Part 3. He has used every tool the prisons has allowed him to be a relentless positive influence in his only sons life. Duke, who lives in New Braunfels, was part of the Apollo 16 mission to the moon in April 1972. "It never needed to be this way," Harry said in the series. Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of this unforgettable event. Charles III went 5 more years without being able to touch his dad due to where Duke was being housed where they was only allowed a 15 minute TV monitor visit in Porter County Jail in Indiana. Tanner has been incarcerated for more than four years, and he's "I have a great deal of respect for him (Tanner), but I don't Clemency for Charles "Duke" Tanner. cocaine, but he was acquitted of participating in a conspiracy. Tanner also allegedly took pictures with the victims phone of himself penetrating her, and sent those images to her friends and her father on Facebook while she was going in and out of consciousness. Chicago Tribune reported 38-year-old Charles "Duke Got Next" Tanner, an ESPN-status, undefeated light heavyweight boxer, was convicted as a leader of the Renegades gang that trafficked. On Nov. 6, 2006, a federal jury convicted Tanner of conspiring friends and was well-liked and respected by the faculty. Charles "Duke" Tanner poses with his son, Charles Tanner Jr., in 2010 at the federal prison in Terre Haute. He recalled once thinking he made the list after being called into the office of a prison official. The victim told investigators that she has known Tanner for five years and had been in a relationship with him, which ended a month ago. Charles "Duke" Tanner has spent the previous 16 years of his life in prison, after being handed a double-life sentence in a 2006 drug conspiracy trial. The sentence was later reduced to 30 years, the State of Indiana said. (Courtesy of Troy Bly) We shocked the world. He was also part of an 18-month re-entry program that requires recommendation from staff and approval from the warden for participation. He had served 16 years of the sentence. "We talked about this over and over again, sitting up late in the kitchen after these late-night engagements, saying, 'We would have carried on doing this for the rest of our lives.'". Please subscribe to keep reading. pan to prepare crack cocaine in his mother's kitchen were among the Editor's note: This is the third story in a four-part Ahead of King Charles' coronation, the monarch has reportedly offered Harry and Meghan's U.K. residence to Prince Andrew. Prince Harry . Tanner and Lance Foster were the only two who contested Federal investigators arrested Tanner after he accepted 15 President Trump pardoned Charles Duke Tanner because his life imprisonment sentence was a non-violent, first offense drug charge. Harry and Meghan are also no longer senior working royals after stepping down from their roles in 2020, becoming financially independent and moving to California. As lunar module pilot of Apollo 16 in 1972, he became the tenth and youngest person to walk on the Moon, at age 36 years and 201 days. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Ex-con sentenced to 37 to life in prison for brutal rape inside NYC sidewalk shed, UK transgender rapist Isla Bryson gets 8 years in prison, Andrew Tate flashes mysterious hand symbol as hes led handcuffed into court, Leaked video of LSU student Madison Brooks before her death shameful: moms attorney, According to an affidavit for an arrest warrant, Air Force ROTC cadet dies in Idaho training accident, Canadian teacher with size-Z prosthetic breasts placed on paid leave, What's next for Buster Murdaugh after dad's murder conviction, life sentence, Murdaugh son collapsed outside court after sitting stone-faced through dad's 6-week murder trial: source, Greys Anatomy alum Isaiah Washington retiring from acting: The haters have won, Madonna watches new boyfriend Joshua Poppers fight in New York City, Saving Private Ryan actor Tom Sizemore dead at 61 after brain aneurysm, Max Scherzer's first look at the new pitch clock, Chris Rock Jokes About Watching Emancipation to See Will Smith Getting Whipped In Advance of Netflix Special: Report, Kellyanne Conway and George Conway to divorce. The most powerful thing to me right now thats been helping me keep pushing me like Ive been doing is hope, said Tanner, 38. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. He can shoot it., Justin Steele and 6 Chicago Cubs relievers combine for the 1st spring training no-hitter in franchise history, Leah Palmer experiences grand time as Geneva grinds out victory in Class 4A third-place game. Tanner was convicted of conspiracy to distribute drugs and sentenced to life in federal prison. weeks before its scheduled date. I have been incarcerated now for 14 years, and have 12 years of incarceration remaining. "I Hes not worried about getting in shape. Former Gary boxer Charles "Duke" Tanner's fight for freedom has taken a lyrical twist. Even when you fall down, you have to get back up and keep pushing. And it's stories like Charles "Duke" Tanner's that let us do just that. He can shoot it., Justin Steele and 6 Chicago Cubs relievers combine for the 1st spring training no-hitter in franchise history, Leah Palmer experiences grand time as Geneva grinds out victory in Class 4A third-place game. For more information on Sen. Melton, his legislative agenda or other State Senate business call 1-800 382-9467 or visit www.IN.gov/s3. A week before the election, I got the call from the White House and drove with just the clothes on my back and a book bag straight to the airport to go get him. Curtis McDonald, 70, was a co-conspirator of Johnson's in a Memphis drug ring. Tanner's sentencing I feel like its riding a bike, he said. He was originally sentenced to life imprisonment, which was converted to a 30-year sentence. ), First published on October 22, 2020 / 5:56 PM. He had a fight on ESPN scheduled, a lucrative clothesline coming out and real estate that was part of his contract. From left: State Sen. Eddie Melton, Tanner's son C.J., and manager Troy Bly. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, UPDATE: Death of Winfield woman ruled a homicide, coroner says, 2 Illinois men each sentenced to over 90 years for killing of Portage High School student, UPDATE: Parents discovered battered, deceased Winfield woman; remembered as 'amazing' nurse, KFC is bringing back a fan favorite after a nearly 10-year hiatus, Crown Point schools release redistricting maps, 1 million-square-foot, 'once-in-a-lifetime building' walls erected in new business park, Passed-out motorist found with lit marijuana cigarette, Portage police say, Lake County investigators on scene of death investigation in Winfield, sheriff says, UPDATE: Lake Station police investigating possible homicide; suspect in custody, chief says, Man found dead from gunshot wound in Munster parking lot, coroner says, Kouts nurse practitioner found guilty of dodging federal payroll taxes, Lake Station man charged with murder in connection with deadly shooting, Riverfront district moves forward in St. John. Tanner was arrested in 2004 after Erbey Solis Jr., who had been arrested the day before, arranged to meet him in the parking lot of a Walgreens in Gary. A He thought it was unlikely to happen. Convicted in 1996 on eight counts of conspiracy, money laundering and other crimes in a cocaine-trafficking operation in Memphis Served almost 22 years of a life sentence before it was commuted. will appear in Wednesday's sportNews. Had he not been incarcerated, Tanner said he thinks he would have fought for the world title in the cruiserweight division. "Everybody that knows me knows there's more to this story," Obama, whom Democrat Joe Biden served as vice president, granted pardons to 22 and clemency to one person during his first term in office, according Justice Department data. Johnson, in an interview, said that she spoke to White House officials about all five of the individual cases and others whose clemency shes backing during a White House visit last month. Rashella Reed, a former Atlanta Public Schools teacher, who spent six years in prison for wire fraud and money laundering, for taking part in a public benefits fraud scheme. Tanner later was convicted of conspiracy to distribute drugs and sentenced to life in federal prison. He said he was in good shape until the pandemic hit and prison activities were shut down. You know what I mean?" The president was lobbied to act on Johnson's case by celebrity Kim Kardashian West. trial. to go home. 1L2nnSRPQBMUPhfwVs9xUfjBbfPgwTGEe7 According to an affidavit for an arrest warrant that was obtained by The Post, the incident came to light on June 8, after the alleged victim, identified only by her initials, A.H., showed up at a neighbors home in the middle of the night while naked and covered in bruises. In prison, Tanner has taken education courses and mentored inmates, thinking ahead to when he hopes hell be able to help future generations avoid taking the path that he did. ambitious, kindhearted young man, not the dangerous drug peddler I have developed in body, mind, and spirit and ready to be a productive asset to society. Charles III was just turning 2 years old when his dad was arrested. Now that he is a free man, Charles Tanner he has many plans for the future including getting back in the ring. I plan on living to 90 years old.". Even after a life sentence, Duke never stopped fighting and now he was able to receive clemency. U.S. District Judge Rudy Lozano stated during the sentencing hearing that he believed the trial evidence, including the quantity of drugs, showed Tanner was a drug dealer even if he hadn't been arrested before. I used very poor judgment. The final part of the series Ive done my time.. Please continue to share our petition. His hope for an early release comes in increments of 30 days, when he hears about the status of his petition to President Barack Obama for clemency. "They're able to distribute it.". "It's not my fault that my (previous) attorney (Santo Even when you fall down, you have to get back up and keep pushing. Before Tanner's 2004 arrest, memorabilia featuring the Gary native could be found throughout his hometown as his popularity soared. He was just Coutee, and their son, Charles Tanner Jr., through a telephone. CHICAGO President Barack Obamas presidential library will be built in a park along the shores of Lake Michigan and a short walk from the un. I am now a new improved version of myself. If you go to my boxing career, the second, third fight (was at the Trump-owned casino) in Gary, he said. Eddie and I have been talking for a long time about what we could do for our community, and Im thankful for the opportunity to begin working on those plans. The victim claimed that Tanner repeatedly told her he was gong to kill her, and on one occasion he allegedly held a butcher knife to her cheek. My plans are to live in Indiana to be close to my son and where my significant other resides. Tanner later was convicted of conspiracy to distribute drugs and sentenced to life in federal prison. He was 36 at the time and is the youngest human in history to ever walk on the lunar surface. King Charles has gone 'directly against' Queen with Sussex eviction - 'big mistake' The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been asked to "vacate" Frogmore Cottage, the couple's last foothold in Britain. conversations, several guns and a video of Foster using a frying Now he says the name "Renegades" existed, but he maintained it didn't mean what the government alleged it did during court proceedings. He petitioned the court after spending time at the law library and exchanging notes with other prisoners as he worked to craft his petition, which eventually led to the reduction. in Houston. Tanner said he was asking a lawyer to petition for a compassionate release due to COVID-19, but the paperwork hadnt been filed yet. His sentence since has been reduced. described his former pupil as a hard-working student who had many Sitting in an empty visitor's room in a federal prison in Illinois, Charles "Duke" Tanner admitted he broke the law, calling it the worst mistake of his life. Though it was his first conviction and a non-violent offense, he was sentenced to life in prison, which was later reduced to 30 years. Tanner, who grew up in Gary, turned pro after he graduated from Andrean in 1998. The statement follows a report by The Sun that King Charles III plans to move his brother Prince Andrew to the Windsor residence. Even if you do make a bad decision in life, you can always come back and make that bad decision into something positive, Valeria Tanner said. series about the life of Gary professional boxer Charles "Duke" White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Wednesday in a statement that Trump was granting the clemencies in light of the decisions these individuals have made following their convictions to improve their lives and the lives of others while incarcerated.. Valeria Tanner, who still lives in Gary, said, Theres just so much that he could do for the community here by mentoring youth and helping at gyms. Duke had made a vow from the beginning of his unfortunate ordeal, to not just be a face on a picture or a voice on the phone to his son. He owns up to it, but hes embarrassed, Bly said. The CAN-DO Foundation is thrilled that President Trump has granted clemency to Charles Duke Tanner so he can be reunited with his family, significant other, Rita Cushenberry, (a nurse) and son, Charles Tanner Jr. Duke was an undefeated light, heavy weight boxer from Gary Indiana who boxed in one of Trumps casinos when he was 18 years old. The gang bought crack and powder cocaine from a Mexican cartel. Please view this short video and listen to the words of the now 16 year old Charles III speak about his relationship with his dad, Charles, "Duke" Tanner. and has been incarcerated for the past four years. great position, and I know a lot of people wanted to be in my Sentencing Commission website, in rare cases a total offense level could exceed 43. He balls his hands into fists and shakes his head as he recalls the details of what happened. Troy Bly, Tanner's manager, added in the release: "This couldn't happen to a more deserving person. This is just the beginning, and we'll continue fighting to bring as many of our people as possible back from prison.". Tanner had it, and hes betting itll return. During his 2009 sentencing hearing, however, Tanner told the court he was innocent and said witnesses in the case lied to get a better deal from prosecutors. described in a Hammond courtroom. Following his arrest, Tanner immediately began working to turn his life around, devoting hundreds of hours of time to taking educational courses. The Fallen: Star athlete arrested and convicted on drug charges. They were all convicted of committing drug and financial crimes, and their cases were all pushed by prison reform advocate and Trump ally Alice Johnson. ", Johnson, who praised President Trump as a compassionate leader during the Republican National Convention, received a full pardon from President Trump in August and has been advocating for clemency for several men and women she said "have served their time and have learned from their mistakes.". I have spent the time on self improvement and now have over 1160 hours of programs, Life Connections, Vocational Building Trades (College Course). Charles Tanners case coveredby The Center for Investigative Reporting, REVEAL show. I have numerous employment opportunities pending my release. Tanners plan is to start training with his son in Indianapolis in December. The second son of Queen Elizabeth, who stepped back from public . Tanner was on the cusp of stardom before he threw it all away. Rita Cushenberry started this petition to President Donald J. Trump and 3 others. CHICAGO | A former Gary boxer serving a life sentence for drug trafficking convictions said he plans to petition the Supreme Court after Chica, CHICAGO | The 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Chicago Hes extremely deserving of this second chance. Lewis said he was Troy Bly (right) with boxer Charles "Duke" Tanner, who Bly successfully fought to get clemency for. He's a first offender serving a 30-year sentence, reduced from LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE. Join Facebook to connect with Charles Duke Tanner and others you may know. Bitcoin Donation Address: Tanner, who has admitted his guilt, said he made a bad mistake. Sitting in the visitor's room at Federal Correction Institution Greenville in southern Illinois earlier this year, Tanner carries with him a stack of documents and news stories he has annotated. There was a time he thought hed die in prison. He had lobbied unsuccessfully for years to cut his drug sentence short. neighborhood had become the boss of a major drug operation. He is represented by Highland attorney Kerry Connor. On Wednesday, President Trump signed an executive grant of clemency, commuting the sentences of several individuals, including Northwest Indiana native Charles Duke Tanner. was then reset for July 31, but was later vacated less than two "I had a voice, but I was not the leader," he said. Since, the U.S. purchase organized by federal agents was captured on undercover conspiracy.". Lenora Logan, who spent about 20 years in prison for her role in a cocaine conspiracy. "I'm extremely thankful these clemencies were granted," said Johnson, a Black woman whose life sentence for a nonviolent drug offense was commuted in 2018 by President Trump. KANKAKEE | Duke Tanner and his high school sweetheart had set a Another time, Tanner, who was becoming more paranoid because of his prolonged use of methamphetamine, warned the woman that if cops showed up at his home, he would slit her throat with a knife, according to the affidavit. The commission advises, however, that any offense level above 43 should be treated as an offense level 43. The fifth mission to land on the lunar surface, Apollo 16 focused on conducting science experiments. When I thought I was helping, I was hurting them. On September 17, 1862, the 1st Delaware Infantry, was in actions with. Curtis McDonald, 70, was a co-conspirator of Johnsons in a Memphis drug ring. Ex-Gary boxer Charles "Duke" Tanner, second from right, was granted clemency for a drug sentence by President Donald Trump Wednesday. On July 16, 1969, the Apollo 11 spaceflight began, making history four days later by landing the first humans on the moon. Rashella Reed, a former Atlanta Public Schools teacher, who spent six years in prison for wire fraud and money laundering, for taking part in a public benefits fraud scheme. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been requested to vacate their residence at Frogmore Cottage," the spokesperson told ABC News in a statement Wednesday. I feel that Im going to be set free, and Im going to be set free sooner than my out date, he said. Captains Orderly at USP McCreary plus an Orderly at every prison. The president issued the executive grant of clemency on Wednesday for Tanner, who was 24 years old when he was arrested and convicted on the charges. "Yes, I broke the law.". After his release, he was taken to a hotel room. Undoubtedly, Duke has so much to offer society, he does not need to be in prison at the expense of taxpayers like you. His original release date was Oct. 20, 2030. But he absolutely When he was arrested, Tanner was an undefeated light heavyweight boxer from Gary who had been in a televised fight on ESPN. going to jail, but Duke wouldn't be one of them," Johnson said. Tanner said he was praying and felt like God told him to file his own petition to have his sentence reduced. Tanner was accused of leading the Renegades, a local gang that trafficked thousands of pounds of crack cocaine and marijuana, and was convicted in 2006 of conspiracy to distribute. Now living in Indianapolis, Alston supports Tanner as he works toward his release. Sen. Melton represents Indiana Senate District 3 which encompasses portions of Lake County. He is encouraged by President Donald Trumps talk of prison reform and recent pardon of heavyweight boxing champion Jack Johnson. Initially slated to be in prison until October 2030, the president ordered his release after 16 years. was not the person they created in that jury room. Charles "Duke" Tanner, left, at age 11, and his son, Charles Tanner Jr., at age 9. Charles "Duke" Tanner. I got to say a prayer and praise God.. "Did I deserve to go to prison?" I feel like my story is a win-win. My brother, Troy Bly, and so many others have worked alongside me these past few years to see this reality come to pass. The government argued for an enhanced offense level, because testimony indicated Tanner possessed at least four different guns during the period he was accused of dealing drugs. This is an absolute blessing, and we give God all the glory, Sen. Melton said. Charles Duke Tanner, 40, was released Wednesday from a Pennsylvania prison, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. and Chicago Tribune Dec 29, 2018 and Mediums Clemency is almost impossible, and now prisoners are dying, Supporters back Tanners clemency including CAN-DO in Hoosier State TodayPlease sign Tanners change.org petition, Name: Charles Tanner #08020-027DOB: June 9, 1980Age: 39Race: African AmericanRaised:IndianaTried:IndianaWill live: IndianaCharges:5 Kilos or more of powder cocaineSentence:Twolife sentences reduced to 30 years in 2017 per Drugs Minus Two. Alice Marie Johnson praised President Trump for criminal justice reform action and said Joe Biden cannot 'undo' the harm caused to Black families by the 1994 crime bill he championed.