At 5:00 am federal agents surrounded my home with my children sleeping in their beds. My fiancé was taken and charged with conspiracy to distribute marajuana and 2 counts of conspiracy to commit extortion. Although I wasn't completely blindsided as to his involvement in criminal activity, I had absol...utely no clue how serious the consequences would be. I have never even received a speeding ticket, forget about knowing what to do about felony drug charges. As the agents drove away with my fiancé in cuffs, I stood there paralyzed with nothing but a piece of paper my fiancé scribbled with "Edward Sapone-attorney" written on it. My life as I knew it had completely crumbled within an hour that morning and the only hope I had was this scribbled piece of paper with Mr. Sapone's name.
Three days later I sat in Ed's office trembling and dizzy because I hadn't eaten a thing since my fiancé was arrested. Ed sat with me for 6 hours. After consoling me, he explained the charges and the time my fiancé was facing...5-40 years, with recommended federal guidelines of 10 years! I thought I was going to die of a heart attack right there. And the icing on the cake was to learn that the government's position on violent drug crimes is that under no combination of circumstances should a person with these charges be released on bail. But then Ed spoke....he said he assures me "whatever result we get from this case will be the best possible outcome that could be obtained." I am definitely not naive and I believe I am pretty good at reading when someone is trying to sell me something. But looking at Ed's eyes, I knew this wasn't the case. This was the first glimpse of hope I had in days.
As we prepared for the bail hearing 8 days later, Ed reminded me of how we are fighting an uphill battle. Ed and his staff worked literally round the clock to prepare all of the financial documents that were necessary for the slim chance that the judge would grant bail. At midnight the night before the bail hearing I was on the phone with Ed's staff making sure all the "i's" were dotted and "t's" crossed.
The morning of the bail hearing was a complete blur but I do remember staring at Ed feeling like my life was in his hands. As Ed spoke there wasn't a dry eye in the courtroom. His words were sincere and true about my fiancé's family ties and character. He presented the bail package to the judge and I held my breath for what felt like 3 hours....we got bail!!!!
So far so good. Ed kept his word! My fiancé was arrested along with 3 other co-conspirators, none of whom got bail. I had 7 months with my fiancé at home as we prepared for the rest of his case. This time was much needed for all of us, especially considering how he was just so abruptly removed from our lives and facing so much time in prison.
Next it was time to work on the case. Months and months of stress wondering how I, as a 38 year old woman with 2 young children was going to live without the love of my life and father-figure for my boys for 10 years or more. I still remember when my fiancé got Ed's call...he has "good news!" He had reached a plea agreement with the prosecution lowering the sentence range to 0-20 years with federal guidelines recommending about 5!! That changed everything. So again, Ed kept his word.
Now it was time for sentencing. At this point I had gained significant faith in Ed and his team but was still apprehensive considering our fate was in the hands of just one judge's decision. Yet another day shaking and holding my breath in the courtroom. The courtroom was filled with family and friends...all of their hopes placed on Ed's shoulders. Ed's team walked in with binders of work in support of my fiancé. Ed spoke, once again, touching everyone's hearts with nothing but the truth. And once again, as the judge read his decision, I knew for sure I chose right with Edward Sapone! 30 month sentence!!! Mr. Sapone gave my life back to me!