Testimony of Transformation
By: Edgardo Sanchez-Fuentes
Hello everyone!
My name is Edgardo Sanchez-Fuentes. I'm 52 years old, and I am originally from Honduras. In 1992, when I was 21 years old, I was arrested in Los Angeles, CA, charged with multiple robberies and homicides. During my trial, and due to the magnitude of my difficult situation, I contemplated the option of committing suicide. But it was during that dark time that I also found my purpose and the motive to continue living. I received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and surrendered my life to Him.
Three years later, I was found guilty of all charges, sentenced to death, and transferred to San Quentin State Prison. During my time at San Quentin, I dedicated myself to growing and maturing both spiritually and academically. I learned how to read, write, speak, and understand English, while at the same time perfecting my Spanish.
In 2020, the governor of California, Mr. Gavin Newsom, implemented a new Pilot Program through which it was possible for a prisoner condemned to death to be transferred to other prisons and live among other prisoners who are not sentenced to death. That is how I voluntarily left San Quentin and came to Tehachapi.
Since I arrived at this new prison, I have been taking full advantage of all the opportunities it offers in terms of personal rehabilitation. I began by enrolling in school with the objective of obtaining my High School Diploma, which I did in 2022. I also joined many self-help groups to continue growing in everything that will provide me with the necessary tools to continue working on my full rehabilitation so that I may have the chance to become a useful member of our society, mainly my community in prison.
At present, I'm an active member of the Christian Church, preaching and teaching the Word of God. I'm also working as a Teacher's Aide, supporting and helping the students so that they may also be able to graduate and get their GED.
My next objectives in mind are, first of all, to continue educating myself academically through the college program here at Tehachapi. I am fully convinced and persuaded that knowledge through education is key to not only living a life free of crime but also a productive one.
With that in mind, I have submitted my application to enroll in the Offender Mentor Certification Program (OMCP), which, if accepted, will train me to become a Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor to be able to help people who are suffering with many addictions. I also would like to become a mentor for our youth offenders through the Youth Offender Mentor Program (YOMP), who are in need of a guide who can help them make better decisions while in prison and outside of prison. I also want to complete a vocational program and obtain the necessary work skills to be able to obtain a decent job and be productive.
My main purpose is to keep on living the rest of my life, no matter my circumstances, for the glory and honor of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and for the benefit of others. In doing so, I hope to honor, somehow, all the people to whom I have caused much pain and suffering during my past life of crime, and perhaps be able to do a little bit of something positive for all the bad things I have done.
I know that the number of people who have been affected by my past criminal behavior are countless, and that there is nothing I could do to alleviate the loss and pain suffered because of me and my selfish acts of violence. The only thing I can do for now is to promise them that, as much as it depends on me, I will do everything possible in my own power (by God's grace) to try to live a life free of criminal acts, which somehow may honor the lives and sacrifice of all the people I have damaged, especially those who lost it all.
Even though I'm still a condemned inmate, I will not allow my sentence to affect me negatively nor my past to dictate my present or my future. On the contrary, thanks to God's mercy and the faith and hope I have in His grace and love, I know that it is still possible for me to achieve all the objectives that I set my mind and heart to accomplish in my life.
I know that I don't deserve to live, and that my punishment is just and merited. But I also know that “Mercy triumphs over judgment” and that “Love will cover a multitude of sins.” This is why I thank all the people who, very generously, have chosen and decided to have mercy and compassion for someone like me, who doesn't deserve it. I thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for His love and for giving me a second chance to live a new life with a purpose even while in prison.
I thank the governor of California, Mr. Gavin Newsom, for opening the doors of San Quentin and making it possible for us to continue in our full restoration and rehabilitation. I thank the administration of CCI (Tehachapi) for all the support we have received from the very moment we arrived here. Thank you for all the positive programs and the countless opportunities and possibilities that are available for us to continue working toward our goal, which is to achieve our objectives in life.
Thanks to all the people and organizations who advocate on our behalf, condemned and LWOP. Thanks for believing in us and our cause. Thanks for sacrificing your time, great care, and material resources. Thanks for loving us and having mercy on us. I also would like to thank all the people who will take the time to read and share our testimonies on social media. You are the instruments that make possible the change in a society that needs people such as you, who “are and represent the change you want to see in the world.”
Thank you for all your sacrifice of love, faith, and hope toward the change. May God bless you and yours.
Edgardo Sanchez-Fuentes
CCI Tehachapi
Facility C Bldg