Dear Friends and Allies:

Tiffany is getting out!  YAH! YAH! WE DID IT!

Yesterday, Tiffany was granted freedom through an extraordinary motion. When we arrived to court for her Vactur hearing with her incredible attorney, Susan Coppedge, we didn’t know what would happen.  Would she be released? Would she be denied her freedom yet again.

As you know, we were seeking a full Vacatur of all of Tiffany’s charges and immediate release after Georgia passed an expanded law allowing all trafficking survivors to seek full relief regardless of if they were currently imprisoned or not.  The day after Tiffany’s attorney filed her motion and our affidavits in August, the District Attorney objected.  A hearing was set for yesterday, November 21 and Tiffany would have to wait another few months.

Yesterday, that day came. Karana Rising is a very small nonprofit and we did not have the funding needed for flights, hotels, expert witness costs or the needs that Tiffany will have upon release. So, our friend and advocate, Mira Sorvino, helped us reach Delta Airlines and they joined us to help with flights and gather hotel points from IHG.  We pulled our personal resources and a few supporters came though, too. So, Fecha and I made our way to south Georgia to join Tiffany, her attorney and an amazing advocate named Amy Driscoll and other strong advocates.

“Do you want to know the secret to ending human trafficking? Its community,” said Tiffany over a year ago in her personal blog about her journey. We never gave up hope on Tiffany or stopped believing in her or her freedom.

Yesterday, the District Attorney continued object to Tiffany’s Vacatur request. However, after serious negotiation, he offered a new solution called the an extraordinary motion for a new trial. This means the original charges against Tiffany will be vacated. Instead, she was asked to plea to a new and lesser charge and terms that would effectively allow for time served and her release.

So, Tiffany agreed to a plea that effectively requires her to say she victimized herself and to do a 30 day initial treatment program, 500 hours of community service and a longer-term transitional program. She will do her 30 day program in Georgia. Once she completes the programs, she will be able to have full relief and move forward in her new life. This is not the full victory we sought but TIFFANY WILL BE OUT OF PRISON AND FREE!

It seems likely she will be released for us to pick up Wednesday morning (we are waiting on the processing of her release paperwork). And we hope she will spend Thanksgiving with Fecha and I in a hotel. We think she’ll be able to enjoy New Years Eve with us as well. Then, it’s onward to a job, college and a life TIFFANY choses.

I want to share with you that YOU helped to make this happen. We have a new journey ahead and I will be in touch on how you can join us to support Tiffany and other survivors. But, most of all, thank you for all you have done. Hold this moment, this beautiful success, as a moment that started 10 years go and is now leading to a new life for a young woman who deserves nothing less than freedom.

This is a victory for Tiffany that will help other survivors toward their freedom. Join us at @wearekaranarising on Instagram, visit our website and support survivors and this Thanksgiving we want you to know we are GRATEFUL to each of you who helped make this possible by believing in Tiffany.

If you believe survivors today, there will be less victims tomorrow.

With love and gratitude,

Andrea with Fecha, Ashley and of course, Tiffany