LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – February 28, 2019 – Defendant was charged in a 20 count indictment involving 26 defendants. All of them including Shaun Khojayan’s client were accused of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute narcotics, cocaine, heroin and marijuana. Specifically, Mr. Khojayan’s client distributed at least 156 grams of narcotics. He faced a 10 year mandatory minimum sentence because the amount was over 50 grams of actual, pure narcotics. The defendant was recorded on phone calls and reports of investigation referred to him and his dealings.
After his guilty plea, Mr. Khojayan insisted to his client that he obtain his high school diploma, despite working full time. Mr. Khojayan continued his client’s case several times until his client earned his high school diploma. As the client continued to work full time and paid for his sister’s college education, he finally earned his high school diploma in night school. Finally, at sentencing, the government recommended at least 3 years in prison for the defendant. Every other defendant in the case thus far had received a prison sentence.
However, Mr. Khojayan argued that his client had earned his diploma, worked to provide for his family, highlighted the trauma from his mother’s passing from cancer years before and that the defendant had fully rehabilitated. The judge agreed with the defense and sentenced the defendant to 12 months of house arrest as part of 3 years of supervised release.
