Zechariah Benjamin

Zechariah Benjamin was convicted by a jury in the Northern District of Iowa in 2008 on multiple counts of distributing and conspiring to distribute crack cocaine (cocaine base). The specific charges were: distributing and aiding and abetting the distribution of 5 grams or more of cocaine base after having been convicted of two prior felony drug offenses; a second count of distributing 5 grams or more of cocaine base after two prior felony drug offenses; and conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base after two prior felony drug offenses. The prior felony drug convictions that triggered the enhanced sentencing were at least two prior convictions for delivering cocaine in Illinois. Under 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(A) as it stood at the time, two prior felony drug convictions combined with the drug quantities involved made life imprisonment the mandatory minimum — the sentencing judge had no discretion to impose a lesser term. Benjamin subsequently sought relief under § 404 of the First Step Act of 2018, which made the Fair Sentencing Act's crack cocaine reforms retroactively applicable. The district court denied his motion, and the Eighth Circuit affirmed that denial nine days before his commutation.