Waaaaaay too much missing and intentionally left out from this PBM's story....."I was a dad to seven kids when I was arrested. Some of them I'd had young, but for the past 14 years, I'd been in a relationship, and we were raising our three kids together."
"I had less than an ounce of weed on me — about enough for two joints. But I was sentenced to 13 ½ years in prison. " in 2010 ???   Really ??................
I am going to call this B. S. clown out....
First of all, what are you doing out purchasing/possessing illegal drugs when you have 7 children to be responsible for ?
NOBODY gets that kind of sentence unless you are a habitual offender of the system and especially for under half an ounce. 13 years ???? That is a FELONY, so stop with your pity-poor-me lying sac of crap.
"I'm writing this on my 57th birthday. I'm married for the first time, and we have a baby on the way. I'm extremely excited to build this new family while continuing to heal my relationships with my older kids"..... Excellent, bring another child into the world that you have shown a tendency to not be a role model for. Time and effort heals old wounds with your 7 children, not having more children you will need your full attention.
Stop the lying and the jargon Bernard Noble....You story is missing too much important information for the "Being Black and coming from my background meant opportunities were scarce. I had nothing." scenario..... In 2010(age 44)you had the opportunity to behave and be responsible(for your 7 children) and you chose to do neither. At that age you knew right from wrong. Blaming the system for your drug consuming choices, lack of morals or ethics is just another attempt to defer from the real problem. Next time, before you do something that maybe questionable, take a good long look in the mirror, because THAT is the ONLY person to blame.......It's much easier to stay out of trouble, than it is to get out of trouble.
Here is his same story just 4 years ago:
https://www.laaclu.org/en/news/i-was-convicted-13-years-two-joints-marijuana-louisiana-should-make-my-extreme-sentence-one
Hmmmmm  ?? Not quite the same details is it ?
"I was riding my bike to the grocery store when the police stopped me and found a small bag of marijuana on the ground. It was a minor offense, the equivalent of about two joints, so I thought that I would post bond, handle the case with an attorney and avoid any serious jail time."
"One week in 2010, I drove to the Big Easy to visit family and pick up meat to cook and sell back in Kansas City, where I'd relocated after Hurricane Katrina. My life changed that weekend. I went to look for friends whom I knew had gone to buy something to smoke. As we walked back to my dad's, what felt like 50 police cars swooped in. I made eye contact with a Black officer, and it felt so personal between us, as two Black men from Louisiana."
  His words, not mine.....Details matter. Funny how the story gets adjusted in a few short years.