The convicted internet fraudster, Ramon Abbas, widely known as Hushpuppi, faced a setback as the Appeals Court for the Ninth Circuit in Los Angeles dismissed his petition to review and potentially reduce his 11-year prison sentence.
Despite citing improved behavior during his incarceration, Hushpuppi’s plea for a lighter sentence was denied.
SaharaReporters highlighted that Hushpuppi, convicted in 2022 for money laundering and extensive online scams, filed the motion for appeal in November 2022, emphasizing his enrollment in educational courses and active involvement in prison duties to demonstrate rehabilitation.
The appellate judges, however, remained resolute in their decision, and Molly Dwyer, the court’s clerk, announced the dismissal on January 19.
It remains uncertain whether Hushpuppi’s legal team will pursue alternative legal avenues after the denial.
This development follows a viral video depicting Hushpuppi allegedly hosting a feast in his detention facility at Fort Dix, New Jersey, adding a layer of controversy to his incarceration.
Meanwhile, another figure in the same legal saga, Olalekan Jacob Ponle, known as Mr. Woodberry, has sought a reduction in his eight-year jail term, asserting that the sentence was wrongly calculated.
Woodberry, initially pleading not guilty, later pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges and agreed to forfeit $8 million in proceeds, cars, and watches.
As the legal battles continue for those involved in the internet fraud case, the US Appeals Court’s rejection of Hushpuppi’s sentence appeal reinforces the judicial stance on the severity of his convictions.