Life in the Felon Tank:

I was placed in the felon cell at  Imperial county jail. 18 years old and scared to death.  My charge was Strong Arm robbery.  I found a bunk and settled into it. My plan was to keep a low profile and  hope to get out soon.  There was a guy playing Badass, saying I am a US Marine and you best not mess with me. Was he a Marine? I do not know. But he was claiming it and acting bad.  That night after lights out, a few of the real bad asses cornered him and worked him over pretty good. Last I saw of him he was hanging onto the cell door screaming for the jailer to save him.  I was aware that I was in bad company so I was trying real hard not to piss anyone off.  Monday morning rolled around and a couple of the guys wandered over to check me out. They asked me what I was in for, and I explained that I was in for Strong arm Robbery.

     The older guy introduced himself as “The Arizona Gunman” a guy I had seen on the evening news. He had started a crime spree in Phoenix that ran all the way to El Centro. Had performed many robberies and shot a few and killed at least 2.  His friend was likewise an armed robber, and they decided to take a liking to me.  Both were already 2 time losers and would be going up for life because of the 3 strike  Part of our judicial system.  They started telling me I would be going to Chino with them.  They gave me a rundown on how things went at the big house and told me they were planning their escape already and wanted me to be in on it and run with them.  They said when you get to Chino ask to work in the garden, that was where they would be. Told me we would steal the farm truck and make our break..  Well I was not ready to make a jailbreak, but listened to them because I had nothing better to do. Also as long as they were my friends everybody else in the cell left me alone.  We  spent all day Monday, and Tuesday planning what we were going to do.  Their plan was well thought out because they had both been to Chino before. I was sure I was going to prison. and that these two were going to force me to help them make their escape. I was worried  that I had really screwed up my life. Even when I was bailed out on Wednesday, they said “See Ya in Chino”. They had told me horror stories about prison life, and convinced me I was going to find out for my self.  Well Thanks to being honest with the Sherriff and with the Grace of God I did not go to prison.  Did I live a straight life after that? Not always but God Protected me and kept me from harm.

I did proudly serve my time in the US Navy and receive an Honorable discharge….And as I look back at my Jail Time I have always wondered did my “friends” tell me all that to scare me? To make me realize what could happen if I didn’t straighten up? I think that was their motive and it did work to a great extent!!