Ex-‘Cocaine Quarterback’ Owen Hanson Credits Trump’s First Step Act for Life Change

Owen Hanson, a former University of Southern California (USC) football player once infamously known as the “Cocaine Quarterback,” has spoken out about how President Donald Trump’s First Step Act provided him a crucial second chance. Hanson, who served time for his involvement as a logistics coordinator for a Mexican drug cartel, detailed how the federal prison reform law significantly reduced his sentence, offering him hope and a pathway to rehabilitation.

From USC Star to Cartel Coordinator

Hanson’s journey from the football field at USC, where he was part of national championship-winning teams, to the depths of criminal activity is a stark one. He recounted how he found himself in severe debt to a Mexican drug cartel. Faced with a dire ultimatum – either be killed or work for them – Hanson chose to become their “logistics coordinator,” essentially the “signal caller” for their operations. This decision, he shared, ultimately cost him a decade of his life behind bars.

The Impact of the First Step Act

The First Step Act, signed into law in 2018, fundamentally altered the landscape of rehabilitation for federal inmates. Hanson explained that the legislation introduced a new perspective by rewarding those who actively pursued educational programs and other initiatives designed to reduce the likelihood of reoffending. This contrasted sharply with the previous system, where inmates often expected to serve the vast majority of their sentences with minimal opportunities for early release.

“I remember when the counselor called me in his office,” Hanson recalled. “He said, ‘Owen, you’ve earned three years off your sentence for going back to school and getting your degree.’ He said, ‘You also earned another two years of halfway house.’ And I was like, ‘Wow, you have hope.'”

This prospect of earning time off through productive engagement and educational pursuits, Hanson noted, instilled a renewed sense of purpose among inmates. It shifted the focus from simply serving time to actively working towards a better future.

Redemption and a New Mission

While incarcerated, Hanson pursued and earned a master’s degree. He credits the First Step Act not only with shortening his sentence but also with effectively preparing him for life outside prison walls. Today, Hanson dedicates his time to speaking with student-athletes, sharing his experiences and warning them about the perilous consequences of drugs and criminal involvement.

Reflecting on his lengthy sentence, which neared two decades, Hanson expressed a surprising sentiment. “It’s a very humbling experience, and in the beginning when the judge sentenced you to nearly two decades in prison, and they tell you it’s time to rehabilitate, you kind of wonder, and you look at yourself in the mirror while you’re in your prison cell and maybe the judge is doing me a favor,” he shared.

He went on to state, “And I tell people [that] prison’s the best thing that could have happened to me, [it] saved my life. [I was] able to get sober, get my master’s degree, come out and help others is like the biggest flex for me.” This perspective underscores his transformation and his commitment to using his past as a cautionary tale and a testament to the possibility of redemption.

Broader Implications of Criminal Justice Reform

The First Step Act represented a significant bipartisan effort to address perceived inequities and inefficiencies within the federal criminal justice system. By enabling sentence reductions through participation in rehabilitative programs, the law aimed to lower recidivism rates and provide a more constructive environment for incarcerated individuals seeking to turn their lives around. The law expanded eligibility for “good time” credits and introduced the ”
First Step Earned Release Act,” allowing certain inmates to earn additional time off their sentences by completing approved recidivism-reduction programs.

Hanson’s story highlights the potential positive outcomes of such reforms, offering a personal account of how legislative changes can directly impact an individual’s trajectory, fostering a sense of hope and providing tangible incentives for personal growth and rehabilitation within the federal prison system.