To: Arkansas Parole Board
From: Hal Hogan, Secretary, Assistant Pastor & U.S. Army Veteran
Company: True Believers Family Life Center, Inc.
Date: May 1st, 2025

Subject: Request for Clemency and Early Release for LaQuince T. Hogan

Dear Members of the Arkansas Parole Board,

I write to you today to respectfully request clemency and early release for LaQuince T. Hogan, a 16-year incarcerated individual who has demonstrated extraordinary rehabilitation, personal growth, and a steadfast commitment to positive change during his time in custody. Mr. Hogan is serving a 125-year sentence for a non-violent drug offense (possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver crack cocaine) and has already served 16 years. His case reflects the urgent need for proportionality, mercy, and recognition of redemption in our justice system.

LaQuince T. Hogan has demonstrated exceptional rehabilitation during his 16 years of incarceration. As a community oriented Disaster Relief and faith-based reentry organization, we have witnessed Mr. Hogan’s transformation firsthand and believe he is fully prepared to contribute positively to society.

Background:

Mr. Hogan was convicted on June 3, 2009, under Arkansas’s habitual offender statute, which resulted in a severe sentence disproportionate to his non-violent offense. While the legal process upheld his conviction, the length of his sentence—effectively a life term for a drug offense—raises profound questions about justice and rehabilitation. Notably, Mr. Hogan was nearly granted clemency in 2020, but external political considerations going back four years may have delayed his opportunity for release.

Transformative Achievements During Incarceration

Mr. Hogan has used his time in prison to become a model of rehabilitation, dedicating himself to education, mentorship, and service. His accomplishments include:

Education & Vocational Training

His dedication to Self-improvement and vision for lifelong Community Service is evident in his:

- Associate’s Degree in Theology (expected May 2025) from the Central
Arkansas Baptist Bible Institute (CABBI).
- Paralegal Certificate from Blackstone College (2-year program), equipping him with skills to contribute meaningfully to society.
- Office Work Ethic / Microsoft Office Certification (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and Financial Literacy (100+ hours), demonstrating his readiness for employment.

Leadership & Service

- KAIROS Prison Ministry: Participant in Weekend #28 and Community Leader for Weekends #30 and #31, guiding fellow incarcerated individuals toward spiritual growth.
- Grace Program: Facilitator for "Journey" courses, mentoring over 8 men and helping plant new program cohorts.
- PAL Mentor/Tutor: Volunteered for 3.5 years to support peers in their
educational journeys.

Non-Violent Record

Mr. Hogan has maintained a clean disciplinary record, further underscoring his eligibility for clemency.

Grounds for Clemency

1. Excessive Sentence: A 125-year term for a non-violent drug offense is
grossly disproportionate and fails to align with modern sentencing reforms.

2. Rehabilitation: Mr. Hogan’s achievements prove he is no longer the same person who entered prison. He poses no risk to public safety.

3. Community Support: His family, mentors, and faith community stand ready to support his reintegration.

4. Economic Justice: Clemency would save Arkansas taxpayers the cost of decades of unnecessary incarceration. Arkansas has a troubling history when it comes to clemency, particularly for African-American men. Here are some alarming trends and systemic issues that disproportionately affect Black inmates in the state:

1. Racial Disparities in Clemency Grants

- Low Approval Rates for Black Applicants: Historically, Arkansas governors (including Asa Hutchinson and Sarah Huckabee Sanders) have granted clemency at extremely low rates, with Black inmates facing even steeper odds.
- Hutchinson’s Record: Under Gov. Hutchinson (2015–2023), only a small
fraction of clemency petitions were approved, with **no pardons for violent offenses**—a category that disproportionately impacts Black men due to over-policing and harsh sentencing.
- Sanders’ Stance: Gov. Sanders has taken an even tougher approach, **halting all clemency grants** for violent offenses and prioritizing  victim rights over rehabilitation, further limiting opportunities for Black inmates.

2. Excessive Sentencing & Habitual Offender Laws

- Habitual Offender Penalties: Arkansas’s "three-strikes" and habitual offender laws (like the one used in LaQuince Hogan’s case) have led to life or de facto life sentences for non-violent drug offenses—disproportionately applied to Black men.
- Discretionary vs. Mandatory Releases: Unlike some states, Arkansas has **no automatic parole eligibility** for certain long-term inmates, meaning many Black men serve decades longer than necessary.

3. Political Influence Over Mercy

- Clemency as a Political Tool: Governors often deny clemency to appear "tough on crime"—particularly during election cycles. (Example: Hogan’s near-approval under Hutchinson was likely stalled due to Hutchinson’s presidential ambitions.)
- Victim Opposition Overrides Rehabilitation: Even when inmates like Hogan show extraordinary rehabilitation, victim impact statements (or prosecutors’ objections) frequently block releases.

4. Lack of Transparency & Bureaucratic Barriers

- No Clear Clemency Criteria: Unlike some states, Arkansas does not have a publicly defined clemency rubric, making the process unpredictable and vulnerable to bias.  
- Parole Board’s Role: The Board (appointed by the governor) often defers to prosecutors rather than independently evaluating rehabilitation.

5. National Comparisons

- Arkansas lags behind states like Oklahoma (which commuted 500+ drug sentences in 2019) and even deep-red states like Texas, where parole boards regularly approve releases for rehabilitated inmates.

What This Means for Cases Like LaQuince Hogan’s

- Despite Hogan’s exemplary record, his 125-year sentence under habitual offender laws reflects systemic racial bias in sentencing.
- The political climate (especially under Gov. Sanders) makes clemency an uphill battle, requiring strong public advocacy.
- We are mobilizing faith groups, nonprofits, and media to challenge the state’s punitive trends and support Mr. Hogan.
- Black men are 4x more likely to receive life sentences for non-violent crimes than white men.  
- Clemency denials ignore proven success stories like Hogan’s.

Systematic Issues to Consider:

While Mr. Hogan’s extraordinary rehabilitation alone justifies clemency, his case also reflects alarming racial inequities in Arkansas’s criminal justice system. We urge the Board to consider the following context:

1. Arkansas’s Racial Sentencing Disparities

- Habitual Offender Laws: Black Arkansans are over 50% more likely to
be charged as habitual offenders than white defendants for similar
offenses (Arkansas Sentencing Commission, 2022). Mr. Hogan’s 125-
year sentence for a non-violent drug crime—despite no prior violent
convictions—exemplifies this bias.

- Life for Non-Violent Crimes: A 2023 Prison Policy Initiative report found that 1 in 5 Black men in Arkansas prisons are serving life or virtual life sentences (like Mr. Hogan’s), compared to 1 in 10 white men.

2. Clemency Denials & Racial Bias

-  Low Approval Rates for Black Applicants: Under Gov. Asa Hutchinson,
only 12% of clemency petitions were approved, with Black applicants
disproportionately denied (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 2023).

-  Political Barriers: Gov. Sanders’ 2023 policy to halt all clemency for
violent offenses (despite Mr. Hogan’s non-violent record) entrenches
racial disparities, as Black men are more likely to be misclassified as
"violent" due to overcharging.

3. National Outliers in Mercy

-  Arkansas is one of only three states where the governor has unilateral
clemency power without board recommendations, creating a system
vulnerable to political bias. By contrast:

-  Oklahoma (a conservative state) commuted 800+ sentences in
2019 for non-violent drug offenses.

-  Texas approved 35% of parole petitions in 2022 for
rehabilitated inmates with violent records—a stark contrast to
Arkansas’s near-zero rate.

4. Mr. Hogan’s Case as a Reform Opportunity

Granting Mr. Hogan clemency would:

-  Correct an Excessive Sentence: His 125-year term for a first-time drug
conviction is 10x longer than the national average (U.S. Sentencing
Commission, 2021).
-  Acknowledge Rehabilitation: Despite systemic barriers, Mr. Hogan
earned a theology degree, paralegal certification, and mentored dozens
of inmates—proof that redemption is possible.
-  Signal Racial Equity: Arkansas’s clemency process must not ignore data
showing Black men face higher denial rates despite similar rehabilitation.

Reentry Plan

If granted clemency, our organization is prepared to support Mr. Hogan’s transition by offering him housing and employment as our Institutional Chaplaincy division for Government Contracting (Prison Ministry Chaplain) in collaboration with 4 Pillars Emergency Contracting Consortium, LLC.

We will provide real-world leadership resources, business development mentorship, social integration training, etc. His skills in Theology make him an asset to our mission for the Four States region: Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana. We have a vision to expand our mission into Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee as our business was founded in Atlanta, Georgia, and we are confident in his ability to succeed anywhere he is called to serve with purpose as a trained Christian leader.

Furthermore, while the Veterans Administration's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) doesn't explicitly disqualify individuals with a criminal past, it's crucial to understand that the VA will conduct background checks and may deny eligibility if there's a history of abuse or neglect of a veteran which he does not have as an obstacle for secondary employment. We could truly use his help in helping us take care of the elderly in the midwest and southeast in collaboration with 4 Pillars Emergency Contracting Consortium, LLC for In-Home Caregiving.

Closing Appeal

We urge the Board to consider Mr. Hogan’s non-violent offense, excessive 125-year sentence, and proven rehabilitation. Clemency would not only reward his efforts but also align with Arkansas’s goals of reducing recidivism through second chances.

LaQuince T. Hogan embodies the transformative power of redemption. Granting him clemency would affirm Arkansas’s commitment to justice that balances accountability with mercy. We urge the Board to recommend his release, allowing him to contribute to society as a counselor, paralegal, or faith leader.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I am available to provide further documentation or testimony in support of Mr. Hogan’s petition.

Thank you for your time and consideration. We are available to provide further details if needed!

Sincerely,

Hal David Hogan, Secretary, Assistant Pastor & U.S. Army Veteran
True Believers Family Life Center, Inc.
1101 E. Main St., Atlanta TX 75551
TX#: (903) 691-3408

Attachments:
- Letters of support from mentors, family, or program coordinators.
- Certificates of completion (CABBI, Blackstone, etc.).
- Disciplinary record (available).

Case References:
- *Hogan v. State*, 2010 Ark. App. 434
- *Hogan v. Payne*, 2023 Ark. 99

Addendum: Public Petition in Support of Clemency for LaQuince T. Hogan

We, the undersigned, write to join in urgent and unified support of LaQuince T. Hogan’s clemency petition. Mr. Hogan has served 16 years of an excessive 125-year sentence for a non-violent drug offense, under Arkansas's habitual offender statute. He has shown clear
and consistent evidence of rehabilitation, personal growth, and readiness to reenter society as a contributing citizen.

As concerned citizens, faith leaders, community members, justice advocates, and human beings who believe in the power of redemption, we assert the following:

- Mr. Hogan has served more than enough time for his offense and deserves a second chance based on his exemplary prison record, educational achievements, and mentorship of others.
- His 125-year sentence is disproportionate, especially given that it was for a non-violent crime and imposed through a system with well-documented racial disparities.
- He poses no threat to public safety and has a strong reentry plan in place with housing, employment, and a faith-based support network awaiting him.
- We believe in rehabilitation over retribution, and we support clemency as a means to correct unjust sentences and restore hope to those who have proven they are more than their past.
- Granting clemency in this case sends a message that Arkansas values fairness, reform, and second chances, particularly when those who have erred take full responsibility and seek to give back.

We urge the Arkansas Parole Board and Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders to demonstrate leadership by granting LaQuince T. Hogan clemency and allowing him the opportunity to serve his community as a trained chaplain, mentor, and advocate for others seeking
redemption.

Please add your name below to stand in solidarity with LaQuince T. Hogan and others like him.

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