We, the undersigned, kindly request your support and assistance in granting parole to Valeria Johnson Tennon, who has been subjected to an excessive sentence of 70 years for a theft conviction.

Valeria Tennon, a 54-year-old African American woman, holds many important roles in the lives of her family members - a mother, wife, daughter, aunt, cousin, and sister. She is deeply loved and cherished by her family, who believe in her capacity for growth and redemption. Valeria has faced various traumatic life experiences, which have had a significant impact on her ability to make sound choices and overcome hardships. While utilizing her brilliant but unhealthy mind, she was allegedly involved in a sophisticated scheme that resulted in the acquisition of over 1.3 million dollars.

Valeria was charged with a first-degree felony of aggregate theft, a crime for which others in Montgomery County received probation sentences. It is disheartening to note that she was handed a sentence of 70 years, whereas those with similar charges received more lenient punishments. Valeria, trusting her lawyer's recommendation, pleaded guilty and believed that she would have the opportunity to rehabilitate herself through a probation period, sparing her from serving any time in prison, let alone a 70-year sentence. The severity of Valeria's sentence becomes evident when a simple Google search reveals that such lengthy sentences are commonly associated with crimes like rape, assault, and murder.

We firmly believe that a crime of theft should not result in a lifetime sentence for a 54-year-old woman. Valeria Tennon is cherished in her family and community, and those who know her can attest to her kind-hearted nature and her genuine remorse. While we acknowledge the wrongdoing, we contend that a punishment of 70 years does not align with the nature of her offense.

Our humble request is that you sign this petition, which seeks a pardon from our governor for Valeria Tennon's sentence or requests that the appeals court reconsiders and significantly reduces her sentence. By doing so, we not only hope to obtain justice for Valeria but also strive to protect other women from being subjected to a judicial system that seems to disproportionately penalize individuals based on their circumstances.

Your support in this matter would be deeply appreciated, and we remain hopeful that compassion and fairness prevail. Thank you for taking the time to consider our request.