(Photo: Lisa Hutson, KTHV)
(Photo: Lisa Hutson, KTHV)
(Photo: Lisa Hutson, KTHV)
CONWAY, Ark. (KTHV) -- What started as a late night post on our Today's THV Facebook page, quickly turned into a conversation we couldn't ignore.
Stacey Brainard is a full-time roofer who is pursuing a master's degree in engineering and computer science. He is also a felon, convicted of a federal drug charge seven years ago. In a post he made to our page last Sunday, Brainard told his story and asked for community support for HR Bill 2449 "The Fresh Start Act", a piece of federal legislation which would allow certain non-violent federal offenders to have their felony records expunged after fullfilling their sentence and paying all fines and restitution.
But after sitting in committee for more than a year Representative Tim Griffin says this bill and others like it have little to no chance of passing.
"These bills aren't going anywhere. It demonstrates that by violating the law, you have violated the social contract and it's part of the punishment," says Rep. Griffin.
It's a punishment Brainard says he will overcome no matter what congress decides.
"I'll be successful regardless because I'm going to keep doing what I'm doing and I've seen nothing but positive changes within myself and around me, the people in my life so that's where I'm headed," says Brainard.
Brainard's post has gained more than 3,100 likes over the last week and more than 400 comments.
"I'll be successful regardless because I'm going to keep doing what I'm doing and I've seen nothing but positive changes within myself and around me, the people in my life so that's where I'm headed," says Brainard.
Brainard also mentioned in his post about his right to vote but later found out, as did we, felons in Arkansas do have the right to vote as long as they've served their sentence and paid all fines and restitution involved with their crime.
Twitter: @LisaHutsonTHV