Jeremy Pompeneo, Protective Custody, P.C., January 5, 2011, Arizona Department of Corrections, ADC

I am praying for you.  I hope you are not stressing about them denying me P.C. [Protective Custody, also known as "Protective Segregation"]  The fact of the matter is I did the right thing applying for it and I will continue do the right thing and stay true to my Baptism.  It can be a little stressful to me at times but I know that I am in God’s hands and all will work toward his glory so really there is no need to worry!  God is good and thanks be to him for opening my eyes to the depth of his love!  That is what is all about. :)  (Phil. 4:6,7) “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made know to God.  And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”. 

Verde Valley Guidance Clinic, Medications Prescribed to Pompeneo.

August 9, 2009, Arizona State Prison

[... the] doctors [at the Verde Valley Guidance Clinic, VVGC in Cottonwood, Arizona] [...] were aware of my addiction but [were] still willing to give me a stimulant for my ADHD.  I didn’t abuse it but it was the same as being high because the medicine Adderal is an amphetamine.   I stopped abusing [illegal] drugs [for thirteen months] and went to A.A. [Alcoholics Anonymous meetings …] My life was getting on track and I didn’t see the going on more and more medications was making me less stable.  Every time I asked for a drug they gave it to me.  I got  to the ninth step which is making amends to those you’ve wronged and I contacted Sherris.  I made amends and we ended up getting back together.  The problem was she was unstable also.  Things were great at first.  I loved her deeply […]  We both ended up in psych[iatric] wards at separate times […] 


Every time I would go impatient they would take me off the stimulant and [then] would take me back on it.  After putting me back on it for the third time I went to an appointment and told them [Zach Duran, and others at Verde Valley Guidance Clinic] I was having thoughts of hurting people.  They didn’t take me seriously and drove me home.  I went into a psychotic rage and killed Sherris a few hours later. [emphasis added]

I was sentenced to life and here I sit.  Pain and guilt and self-loathing were all I felt for over two years.  It is very heavy upon me.  I was mad at God for a while but gradually began getting more and more into my Bible.  I am blessed to be around other Christians who have helped me grow.  I look at my life in two parts.  Before my personal encounter with Christ and after the night I am about to explain. 

One night I was in the darkest depths of pain I have ever experienced.  My life was gone.  Sherris was dead and I realized just how hopeless and pointless my life had been.  All the pain and guilt and self-loathing had reached a fever pitch and I was broken.  I cried out to Jesus Christ that night with all my heart and soul.  I begged him to take this pain and begged his forgiveness.  His peace came to me in a way that is beyond everything I can comprehend. 

There are no words to express  how I have been changed.  It’s like all my mistakes and the pain I’ve caused led me to the point where I realized just how much I needed him.  And in my darkest moment he came to me because I was finally ready to come to him.  My whole life has changed.  My outlook, my behavior, and my purpose are different now. I see things differently and serve Christ with all my heart  That is all I want is to do God’s will.  I want to further his kingdom and help others […] I have read all of hose books except I haven’t read all of the Bible yet.  I haven’t read all of the Old Testament but I have read all of the New Testament.  I know the Apostles Creed, The Nicene Creed, The Ten Commandments, the Seven Deadly Sins, The Our Father, The Hail Mary, The Glory Be, I can explain the Seven Sacraments, the difference between Mortal and Venial Sins and a lot of Catholic social policy.  I ordered a Rosary and should receive it any day.  I have studied Protestantism and compared their point of view to Catholic and read a little on Church history."

Editor's Note: Jeremy Pompeneo was murdered at Arizona Department of Corrections  State Prison, Eyman, on May 31, 2011.  His civil malpractice lawsuit against VERDE VALLEY GUIDANCE CLINIC, INC., 8 East Cottonwood Street, Cottonwood, AZ 86326-6237,  an Arizona non-profit corporation; Zach Duran and Jane Doe Duran, husband and wife; Lisa Frances Sims and Bill Sims, wife and husband; Francis Gagliardi; Lisa Pernice, Defendants/Appellees, is still pending.  The lawsuit filed by Sherris's parents against the clinic for the Wrongful Death of their daughter, was settled out of court.  Jeremy is still waiting for his case to be heard by a jury.

Jermy Pompeneo, March 2, 2011, Arizona State Prison Inmate

March 2, 2011, Arizona State Prison

I was wondering if it would be possible to have Masses said (or  Mas intentions offered) for my deceased girlfriend Sherris W.  I pray for her every day but I know there is nothing more efficacious then the Holy Sacrifice of The Mass.  I think I have shared with you the dream I had some time ago around the time I had my conversion experience.  I dreamt that she told me “Jesus Christ is Lord”.  It was a powerful dream that I whole heartedly believe to be a private revelation and it impacted me greatly.  Needless to say I want to help her in any way I can.  If this is a possibility I thank you in abundance […]

In Christ Jesus,

Jeremy

Diocese of Tucson Bulletin, Vol. 8, No. 17, Sept. 7, 2010

Most Reverend Gerald F. Kicanas,  Bishop of  Tucson, Bulletin Vol. 8, No. 17,  Sept. 7, 2010

  

"Maximilian" Gives His Witness:

This Wednesday will be a very special day for a young inmate at the Arizona State Prison in Florence.

He will stand and kneel behind the door of a locked visitation room as I give him the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist.

He has chosen "Maximilian" for his Confirmation name. He chose it after reading about the life of St. Maximilian. He was inspired by how St. Maximilian overcame evil with love.

Just like his patron saint who became a martyr for love, "Maximilian" too will now be called to be a witness to the love of Jesus Christ.

How fitting the reading is for this Wednesday from 1 Corinthians: God causes growth; we are God's co-workers; we are God's field; and we are God's building.

"Maximilian" will give his witness to God's amazing grace this Wednesday.

I am grateful to Deacon Ed Scheffer, who ministers at the Arizona State Prison in Florence, for introducing me to "Maximilian."

Power of Conversion:

I wrote last week about how I would be visiting "Maximilian," a young inmate at Arizona State Prison in Florence, who had decided to give witness to his love of Christ by joining our faith.

The power of God's call to conversion became poignantly visible for me and Deacon Ed Sheffer of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish when we stood Wednesday in a cell block at the Central Unit of the prison.

Deacon Ed had spent countless hours preparing "Maximilian" (the name he chose for his Confirmation) for the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation.

Separated by the door to his cell, we talked. "Maximilian" thanked me for coming and expressed what a moment of joy and repentance this was for him. As we were preparing to begin Mass, he humbly asked if we might remember at Mass the person he is serving time for having killed.

Tears were flowing down his face when he put his shaven head through the small opening in the door of the cell through which he receives his food so that I could sign him with the Oil of Catechumens, the Sacred Chrism and the Water of Baptism.

As Deacon Ed and I prayed during the Mass we could only see "Maximilian" through the steel meshed glass of the cell door. He stood, he knelt, he sang, he put his face in his hands, he offered the prayers he had learned from Deacon Ed. He was actively participating in the Liturgy.

I thought how true conversion is truly life changing.

Let  us pray for all who are imprisoned, those affected by their crimes, those who minister to them, and all the wardens, administrative staff and correction officers who serve in our corrections facilities. It is terribly difficult work, but once in a while you see a small sprout of new life appear in what otherwise is barren desert.

Source:  http://www.diocesetucson.org/Sept10memo.html


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On 9/6/10 Jeremy wrote: "… my deepest heartfelt thanks to you and Bishop Kicanas. … Experiencing the Mass and receiving the Sacraments was beautiful and intense. … I was so overwhelmed with so many emotions. … I feel a peace, confidence, and singleness of purpose and direction I have never known and I am ready to face the tribulations that are coming. I feel strength, purity, and my spirit is freed from a tremendous burden I have been carrying."

Jeremy Pompeneo, Arizona State Prison, 2011

I mentioned my application for protective segregation was denied.  I was released back into the general population and I am only 1 wing away from where I left.  I find solace in the fact that I did what was right thereby I did everything in my power to not be in situations where my life and the lives of my attackers would be in danger.  I am totally sick of hurting people but I know I can defend myself in clear conscience.  I believe I mentioned to you how when you make certain mistakes in here you can be sent on missions to "clean it up."  They send you to attack people they want hurt and your situation is rectified and you can live in peace.  I will continue to stand for Christ and I refuse to do evil so that good will result.  After all "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven".  Matt. 5:10 NRSV  I believe God is allowing me the honor of suffering for Him and his teaching me and refining me.  Whether sooner or later I will be attacked.  My paperwork is bad and I checked in to P.C. [Protective Custody]  There is just no way around that.  I will continue to do whats right and leave the rest in God's hands.  


I am hopeful I can ask a favor of you.  I feel bad because you have done so much to help me but here we go.  My family (mostly Mom) knows I am in trouble in here but I try not to let them know the extent of it because I don't want them stressed out and worried about me.  I have put them through so much and it saddens me that when I start being attacked they will go through more pain but I wan't clean it up to save myself.  I can't and won't.  If they end up killing me before there is enough evidence to get into P.C. can you please tell my family I love them and let them know I could have cleaned it up by hurting people but that I stood for Christ regardless of the cost?  I want my family to know that I finally lived as the person they raised me to be. That in the end I did what was right […]


In Christ Jesus,


Jeremy Maximilian

Jeremy Pompeneo, Arizona State Prison, May 30, 2011 Letter

I am looking into an organization called the Brotherhood and Sisterhood of Catholic Laity. They had an add in a newspaper I get and it said it is for people who want to lead a Religious life without leaving home.  It is open to married or single people.  Am thinking it may be a means of living my total devotion to Jesus more fully.  We'll see. Am open to where ever Holy Spirit wants me.  Since my home is one I can’t leave it may be right up my ally!  The main thing is to strive to do God’s will with all my ability.  So long as I am conforming my will to his I am on the right path.  Oh, I have a good scripture for you.  (Isa. 43: 1-3) “Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name, you are mine.  Should you pass through the waters, I shall be with you;  or through  rivers, they will not swallow you up.  Should you walk through fire, you will not suffer, and the flame will not burn you. For I am Yahweh, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior”.  (New Jerusalem Bible)  How good it is to know our life and destiny is in the hands of an all loving and all powerful God!  […] I love you, and miss you and you are in my heart, thoughts, and prayers.  Love, J.

Jeremy Pompeneo, Arizona State Prison, May 18, 2011

May the most Holy and abundant blessings of Christ be upon you!  I pray this letter reaches you in a state of peace and trust in God’s mercy ad providence.  It was good to talk to you on Sunday.  Things have been a bit crazy here.  Remember how I told you that the Property Sergeant here is always disrespecting everyone’s stuff?  Well things came to a head and this whole cluster went off and all the C.O.’s were getting thrown on and there was a mini riot.  Don’t worry everything is calmed down and nobody got pepper sprayed.  They turned off our water, electricity, and lights and after going into negotiations we just got them turned on and a cease of fire is in effect. 

They ended up pulling us out and searching our houses and they pulled out my neighbor who is handicapped because he has horrible arthritis in his legs and threw him on the ground for no reason and stepped on his head.  Well I was drinking out of my water bottle at the time and I squirted water on all the cops and yelled at them for slamming an old handicapped man on his face.  I acted on instinct because what they did was dead wrong.  Don’t stress out but the Sergeant I squirted said he is writing me a ticket.  I didn’t  hurt anyone, all it was room temperature water.  I’ve done more damage to people in squirt gun fights when I was little.  I am waiting to see if they are even going to take the time to write the ticket.  So many cops were thrown on over the course of 2 days they might not even waste their time.  If they do give me a ticket it will probably be “assault on staff with weapon.”  They can take my visits for staff assaults and if that is what happens you have my apologies.  I really feel like I didn’t do anything seriously wrong.  Swearing  at people is in itself wrong but it was gut reaction to the excessive and unnecessary use of force.  Anyways, everything is back to normal in the cluster.  The Deputy Warden came through and we all spoke with him and all wrote out detailed complaint about Sgt. Sturm.  Hopefully she will be put in check.  Other than all the drama, things have resumed state of normalcy in this cluster […] Oh and I decided I am just gonna get my GED, not the High School thing.  I have been studying with my celly to take the mandatory literacy.  Love you!