Ian Callahan has been sentenced to 99 years in prison for burglary with assault. Who knew being lured over to a friend's house under false pretenses would lead Ian to losing his life to Florida's Department of Corrections at only 31 years old. The fight to bring Ian home to his young daughter, family and friends has just begun.

In January of 2014, Ian was arrested for 2 counts of Burglary with Assault in Tallahassee, Florida.
In the State of Florida, Burglary with Assault is a punishable by life charge and although the judge did not agree with the max sentencing, Florida Habitual Laws required him to sentence him to the max, even if he believed doing so was not in the best interest of justice.

THE NIGHT OF THE ARREST
Ian was invited over to a friend's house. He hung out with the friend and his roommate on the front porch lanai of the friend's apartment. Ian had no idea they were videotaping him. When the conversation turned to a disagreement, Ian's friend threatened to attack Ian. Ian, wanting to keep the peace, encouraged his friend to talk with him. The friend became angry and told Ian to leave. Ian did not do so. Instead kept insisting they talk through the argument. The friend and his roommate began to attack Ian. Both hitting and kicking Ian repeatedly. According to the state attorney, because Ian did not leave when asked, he had committed burglary. Once they were finished, they started to walk inside through the sliding glass door when Ian got up and attacked one from behind. Falling into the home, fighting back, made Ian's charge change from burglary to now burglary with assault.

Before Ian knew it, officers were breaking up the fight. He had no idea the roommate had secretly called police when the friend asked Ian to leave. Ian's attorney argued it was entrapment but the jury believed the two men's story that Ian had been the aggressor.

Because Ian was never confrontational or threatening, only wanted to keep the peace and was lured under false pretenses, his family and friends are fighting for a fairer punishment. If Ian's past convictions hadn't been used against him, he would have been facing a possible 15 year sentence but because Florida has a very strict reoffender policy, Ian was subjected to a harsher sentence. Murderers, rapists, child molestors do not get the sentence Ian received.

Ian had made horrible decisions in his past and was not shy to the inside of a jail cell. Ian suffered from depression and was battling to overcome a serious drug addiction. Ian was 8 months sober at the time of his arrest. He was trying to make a better life for himself. Ian had just been accepted into school to pursue his music career and get a degree in audio engineering and he was finally focused on being a great father to his then 6 year old daughter.

99 Years, 99 Months, 98 Days
No Parole. Day-For-Day.
Ian's family and friends cannot imagine having to live with no release date in sight. Especially for something so trivial as not leaving a friend's house when asked. Ian's daughter cannot imagine only knowing her father from a few memories as a young girl and the rest of her life in a prison court yard. A terrible mistake was made and Ian shouldn't have to live behind bars for the rest of his life for it.

Letters have been written to the following: Florida Senators, the Governor, Activists for Prison Reduction, The Board of Appeals, District Judges, Florida Clemency Board, US Sentencing Commission

We are asking these individuals to review the case again. To see the entrapment, to see Ian acted in self-defense, to bring Ian home. We need your help. Signatures of support attract attention and we need the help to get Ian's case heard.

Please sign the petition. Let Ian know we will fight so he can have a shot at one day being home where he belongs.

Thank you.
Ian's Family & Friends