My name is Joseph Paduano and I am 40 years old. I am incarcerated for a non-violent charge where there is no physical, forensic, or DNA evidence that a crime even occurred. One of my accusers admitted to being a liar on the stand, and the other accuser was impeached by my defense attorney and admitted on the stand to being coached by the prosecuting attorney. The Commonwealth stacked multiple charges against me.

I have maintained my innocence and have stayed infraction free throughout this ordeal. I was given a sentence of 27 years, which is broken down 2 x 10 years, 5 years, and 2 years to run consecutive versus concurrent. My sentencing guidelines for everything accumulative were between1 year 11months to 5 years 7 months.  I have completed  10 years of my sentence. If the sentences would have been run concurrent I would have to do 8.5 years on 10. I don't claim to being perfect and I have made plenty of mistakes in my life, but as for these crimes I am innocent. I have never been incarcerated before.

I am an Honorably discharged veteran of the United States Air Force where I served as Crash Fire Rescue. Upon my discharge I continued to work as fire rescue in multiple avenues of the field, from working at Lynchburg Regional Airport, to Virginia International Raceway, to Regional One Ambulance service, and also working for Pittsylvania County wildland fire hot shot crew. I also volunteered for the local Fire Department where I am decorated as a life-time member, Fire Fighter of the year, made it to rank of Fire Captain and acting Assistant Chief. I also volunteered for the local Rescue Squad and am decorated as life member, Crew leader, Crash Rescue Crew leader, made it to rank of First Lieutenant, and acting Captain. I also volunteered for the Lake Marine Fire and Rescue where I am decorated as a life member, Senior Firefighter, and an alternate fireboat captain.

After 15 years as a very active Firefighter and many harsh calls later I decided it was time to step away from fire rescue for a while and spend time with my family. I have a daughter, 19 years old, and a son, 10 years old. I started a trucking company and was fairly successful. I own my home and have intentions of turning the family farm into orchards and nurseries.

Since I have been incarcerated I have graduated Horticulture and am certified in 6 areas of the field, which are 1. Horticulture - Specialty Grower (inside), 2. Salesperson, Horticultural and Nursery Products, 3. Horticultural Worker, 4. Groundskeeper, Industrial - Commercial, 5. Laborer, Landscape (Technician), and 6. Gardener, Landscape.

I have completed all the courses available to me: Coping with Stress, Seeking Safety, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Symptom Management through Horticulture Therapy, Traumatic Stress and Resilience, and Anger Management.

I am highly active in the church and I am in the choir; I have completed Kairos and I have been a server for Kairos; I attend Kairos reunions where I am a speaker; Prayer and share; God Behind Bars run by Passion Community Church, where I was just chosen as the face to represent God Behind Bars in the Passion Community Church “More” Initiative Guidebook; and Nottoway Tabernacle Church of Love.

I am also active in the Nottoway Veterans Group where I have held the Rank of Sgt. of Arms and am currently the J-4 Planning. I work in the wood shop at Nottoway Correctional Center in Shipping and Receiving.

I have completed a college course while incarcerated in Leadership Development and am scheduled to start Agricultural Business Management.

I have an amazing support group in my family, loved ones, friends and community. My mother and children especially miss me in their lives. My mother has struggled to take care of the family home and farm on her own. My children are growing up without my physical presence in their lives and tell me all the time how much they want me home.

My incarceration at this point serves no purpose. I have completed all programs available to me, attend school, hold a job and remain infraction free. I am not a threat to society. My recidivism rate is low, I am housed in the Honor Building and there is a home plan in place upon my release.

If I was to be chosen for pardon I intend to continue with my faith in God and being a great father to my children and help for my mother. My businesses will thrive again and I will bring jobs to the area. I thank you Governor Youngkin for your consideration in this matter. I will not let you down, but much greater I will not let myself down. As you can tell from my resume that what I put my mind to I normally succeed and my mind is set to be an example to future released individuals that there is a future after incarceration.

Thank You, Joseph L. Paduano