Topeka Sam
| Topeka Kimberly Sam | |
|---|---|
| Born: | New York, United States |
| Charges: | Drug trafficking conspiracy |
| Sentence: | 10+ years |
| Facility: | FCI Danbury |
| Status: | Pardoned |
Topeka Kimberly Sam is an American criminal justice reform advocate and former federal prisoner. In January 2013, she was sentenced to over 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to her role in a drug trafficking conspiracy. Prior to her arrest, Sam had led a double life as an entrepreneur while selling cocaine on the East Coast. She was released from Federal Correctional Institution Danbury in 2015 and became a prominent advocate for incarcerated women and criminal justice reform. Sam founded Ladies of Hope Ministries, helped bring attention to the case of Alice Marie Johnson, and spoke at the White House Prison Reform Summit in 2018. President Donald Trump granted Sam a full pardon on December 23, 2020, citing her efforts in criminal justice reform.[1]
Summary
Topeka Sam's story represents a striking example of transformation from federal prisoner to nationally recognized criminal justice reform advocate. Before her conviction, Sam lived what she has described as a double life: on one hand, she was an entrepreneur running an online mobile phone case boutique and serving as a division chairwoman at a leading transportation agency; on the other, she was selling large quantities of cocaine on the East Coast.
Her federal conviction and imprisonment, rather than ending her prospects, became the catalyst for a new mission. After her early release from FCI Danbury in 2015, Sam dedicated herself to helping other women transition from incarceration back into society. She founded Ladies of Hope Ministries, established Hope House to provide transitional housing for female parolees, and became a vocal advocate for criminal justice reform.
Sam's advocacy work included helping to bring national attention to the case of Alice Marie Johnson, a grandmother serving a life sentence for a first-time nonviolent drug offense. Sam produced a video about Johnson's case that went viral, catching the attention of Kim Kardashian, who subsequently lobbied President Trump for Johnson's clemency. Johnson received clemency in 2018 and a full pardon in 2020.
Sam herself was pardoned in December 2020, with the White House citing her reform work as the basis for the pardon.
Background
Early Career
Before her federal conviction, Topeka Sam pursued multiple business ventures. She operated an online mobile phone case boutique and held a position as a division chairwoman at a leading transportation agency.
However, Sam was simultaneously involved in drug trafficking, selling large quantities of cocaine on the East Coast.
Criminal Case
Indictment and Guilty Plea
In 2012, Sam was indicted as part of an ongoing federal investigation into drug trafficking. She pleaded guilty to her role in a drug trafficking conspiracy.[1]
Sentencing
In January 2013, Sam was sentenced to over 10 years in federal prison for her role in the conspiracy.
Imprisonment
Sam served her sentence at Federal Correctional Institution Danbury (FCI Danbury) in Connecticut, a minimum-security federal prison for female inmates. FCI Danbury has housed numerous notable inmates, including Martha Stewart.
Sam was released from FCI Danbury in 2015, having served approximately three years of her sentence.
Criminal Justice Advocacy
Ladies of Hope Ministries
In 2017, Sam founded the non-profit organization Ladies of Hope Ministries to help women transition back into society after incarceration. The organization provides resources related to education, housing, and groceries.[2]
Programs
- Angel Food Delivery Program: By December 2022, this program had delivered over 9,000 bags of groceries to families impacted by the criminal justice system
- Hope House: Transitional housing for female parolees, established in the Castle Hill neighborhood of the Bronx with fellow formerly incarcerated woman Vanee Sykes
Alice Marie Johnson Case
Sam played a significant role in bringing national attention to the case of Alice Marie Johnson, a grandmother who was serving a life sentence for a first-time nonviolent drug offense.
Sam produced a video about Johnson's case that gained widespread viewership. The video inspired reality television star and businesswoman Kim Kardashian to lobby the Trump administration for Johnson's clemency.
The advocacy was successful: President Trump granted Johnson clemency in 2018, and a full pardon in 2020.[3]
First Step Act
Sam advocated for The First Step Act, landmark criminal justice reform legislation that:
- Reduced mandatory minimum sentences for certain nonviolent offenses
- Improved prison conditions
- Provided better support for individuals reentering society after incarceration
The First Step Act was signed into law by President Trump in December 2018.
White House Prison Reform Summit
In 2018, Sam was invited to speak at the White House Prison Reform Summit. She shared insights derived from her experience in federal prison, including discussing conditions and challenges faced by incarcerated women, such as difficulties obtaining sanitary products.
Presidential Pardon
On December 23, 2020, President Donald Trump granted Topeka Sam a full pardon.[1]
White House Statement
The White House cited Sam's efforts in criminal justice reform as the basis for the pardon, recognizing her transformation from federal inmate to reform advocate.
Facilitation
The pardon was facilitated by businessman Daniel Loeb, who lobbied the White House on Sam's behalf. Loeb's involvement came through a partnership between one of his companies and Sam's organization, Ladies of Hope Ministries.[4]
Later Developments
Google Social Impact Award
On May 5, 2022, Sam was honored with Google's inaugural Social Impact Award for her work to reduce rates of incarceration among women. The award included a $100,000 grant.
Entertainment Industry
Sam has explored opportunities in television production, inking a deal for content inspired by her fight for female criminal justice reform.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What did Topeka Sam do?
Sam pleaded guilty to her role in a drug trafficking conspiracy and was sentenced to over 10 years in federal prison in January 2013. Prior to her arrest, she led a double life as an entrepreneur running an online mobile phone case boutique while selling large quantities of cocaine on the East Coast. She was indicted in 2012 as part of a federal investigation.[1]
Q: Was Topeka Sam pardoned?
Yes, President Trump granted Sam a full pardon on December 23, 2020, citing her efforts in criminal justice reform. The pardon was facilitated by businessman Daniel Loeb, whose company had partnered with Sam's organization. Sam had already served her sentence and been released in 2015.[4]
Q: How long was Topeka Sam in prison?
Sam was sentenced to over 10 years in federal prison in January 2013. She was released from FCI Danbury in 2015, having served approximately three years. After her release, she became a prominent advocate for criminal justice reform and incarcerated women.[1]
Q: Who is Topeka Sam?
Sam is a criminal justice reform advocate who founded Ladies of Hope Ministries in 2017. She helped bring attention to Alice Marie Johnson's case, leading to Kim Kardashian lobbying Trump for Johnson's clemency. Sam spoke at the White House Prison Reform Summit in 2018 and received Google's inaugural Social Impact Award in 2022.[3]
Q: What is Ladies of Hope Ministries?
Ladies of Hope Ministries is a non-profit founded by Sam in 2017 to help women transition after incarceration. It provides education, housing, and grocery resources through programs like Angel Food Delivery. Sam also established Hope House in the Bronx to provide transitional housing for female parolees.[2]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Wikipedia, "Topeka Sam," https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topeka_Sam
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Nolan Center for Justice, "Highlighting Women in Criminal Justice Reform: Topeka Sam," https://conservativejusticereform.org/highlighting-women-in-criminal-justice-reform-topeka-sam/
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Black Enterprise, "Topeka Sam, the Woman Who Facilitated a Trump Clemency, Talks Power of Entrepreneurship," https://www.blackenterprise.com/topeka-sam-trump-johnson-clemency/
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 NOLA.com, "Activist Topeka K. Sam, pardoned by Trump, visits New Orleans home for ex-incarcerated women," April 2021, https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/activist-topeka-k-sam-pardoned-by-trump-visits-new-orleans-home-for-ex-incarcerated-women/article_c7848876-9be0-11eb-a0c6-9f7b559e0a2d.html