An Oklahoma woman sentenced to 12 years behind bars for selling $31 worth of weed is free and without lingering debt after a decade-long legal fight thanks to the kindness of strangers.

Patricia Spottedcrow's troubles began when she was caught selling marijuana to a police informant in 2010. According to KFOR 4 News, the first-time offender was put back in jail last week for unpaid court fees.

Spottedcrow managed to pay the fees for several years, but they had grown to a staggering $3,569.76. A warrant was issued last week forcing her to spend two days behind bars. But due to the kindness of strangers, she went home Wednesday.

In 2010, a police informant came to her mother's home in Kingfisher, Oklahoma, to buy $11 worth of weed. About two weeks later, the informant returned to the home and bought $20 more.

The then-25-year-old was attempting to overcome a series of financial issues, so she turned to selling weed to help resolve her woes.

Authorities charged her and her mother with distribution of a controlled substance.

Children were in the presence of the deals, so she was also charged with possession of a dangerous substance in the presence of a minor. Spottedcrow received a 10-year sentence for distribution and two years for possession. Her mother, who was 50 at the time, received a 30-year suspended sentence.

She was incarcerated for some time, but in 2012, Republican Governor Mary Fallin granted her an early release. However, court fees continued to be a burden.

The Washington Post reports her release was bittersweet. Because Spottedcrow had a felony on her record, it was very difficult to get a good job and find stable housing. In 2017, the Tulsa World conducted a follow-up profile on her story only to discover she and her family were living in a motel.

“I was home on vacation and it was just there, and I thought we could get some extra money,” Spottedcrow told the paper. “I’ve lost everything because of it.”

Fast forward to today, Spottedcrow could not afford to pay her court fees. Local KFOR journalist Ali Meyer shared the number of the Kingfisher County Court Clerk’s Office on Tuesday, launching a wave of donations.

“I had no idea how I was going to pay this off,” Spottedcrow told KFOR last Wednesday. “I knew I was going to be sitting here for a while.”

She’s out! Patricia Spottedcrow walked out of the Oklahoma Co. Jail today with no court fines hanging over her head. Guys, this is the face of a fresh start. To the generous, compassionate donors.. she says, “Thank you for everything!” pic.twitter.com/qaqlMHRtA2

— Ali Meyer (@amanchor) September 11, 2019

After Meyer shared the county clerk's office contact information, seven strangers came forward with various donations to wipe out Spottedcrow's debt.

“My lifestyle is not like this. I’m not coming back,” she said. “I’m going to get out of here, be with my kids and live my life.”

Weed-And-Women

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