Imagine one day waking up to learn you have pending charges in another state that you knew nothing about. Surely it must be a mistake.... but it's not! Sedrick, who lived in Pennsylvania had his whole life ahead of him. A good job working at UPS, a young daughter he loved, a home, and years of a promising future ahead... until one day in the blink of an eye it was all stolen from him. 

In 1993, three young teenagers had robbed several homes in a Georgia neighborhood, and ultimately raping one of the victims. She identified two of the young men from a high school year book, neither of them being Sedrick. The ring leader was caught and named two innocent men as his accomplices, one of them being Sedrick. At this time he was living at his home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with no knowledge of any of this. Six years passed and one day Sedrick's life was forever changed. He was arrested and extradited to Georgia to face charges for crimes he knew nothing about. 

DNA at the time of trial did not match either men, however a jury found both men guilty regardless of all evidence proving their innocence. The victim herself stated it was neither of them, but the prosecution and investigators insisted she was confused. Sedrick was sentenced to fifty years in prison. 

Five years ago, Sedrick and I crossed paths. He was a good man and a great friend. I couldn't necessarily say the same for myself. At the time I was living my "best life" hanging out with all my friends and partying. We ended up losing contact until three years later, the day before God moved me to Destin Florida. At this point in time, I was a completely changed person. I had fallen in love with Jesus and my life revolved only around Him. God had removed me from all the people, places, and things that were once the center of my attention. As time went on, God began to prove to me (and him) that He had created us for each other. 

As I adjusted to my new life in Florida, I became best friends with Gina, a waitress at the Waffle House where I had stopped for dinner one night on my way home from church. Sedrick had shared much of his story with me at this point, showing me news articles and paperwork that proved his innocence. I shared this information with Gina and she insisted that we do something to help him. I thought it was impossible for us to make a difference and it was.... but it was not impossible for God. 

Before embarking on this journey, God showed us visions of what was to come through prophetic words and visions that he continued to confirm every step of the way. He showed us that the public defender that initially represented Sedrick would be the judge to set him free. God showed me a vision of a chess board, and I seen the hand of God reaching down and moving chess pieces around strategically. He had placed each one of us in these positions for such a time as this. 

I reached out to a few lawyers, each one of them wanting 50K to 100K down. But one lawyer, who knew the case inside and out, told me he had been waiting for my phone call for two years. He had previously set the other innocent co-defendant free two years prior. He requested a small amount of $2,500. At the time I didn't have the money but was trusting God to provide. Several months later, I heard Him tell me in the small voice to "send the check". I was trusting God on this one because I still didn't have that amount... but sure enough by the end of the week I had over $3,000 in my bank account. 

It was a long year and a half of standing on the Word of God and contending for the promises but on December 30, 2022 (my birthday) the motion was filed in the courts to request a new trial. In order for this motion to be granted, six requirements must be met and even if they are, the judge still has the option to deny the motion. It's very rare these are granted. On May 15, 2023(Sedrick's birthday), the motion was granted. Only God!

At this point, Sedrick should have been released from state prison and returned to the county jail for a new trial, but somehow the paperwork got lost and things were delayed. In mid August he was finally released and sent back to county jail to await a bond hearing. With the charges he had been accused of, it would only be God that he would even get a bond. Not only did God come through, he surpassed our greatest expectations. Sedrick was released on $0 bond and to our out of state home in Florida, after spending 22 years of wrongful imprisonment. The very next day, the District Attorney dismissed all the charges, clearing Sedrick's name and exonerating him. 

There's much more to this story, many moves of God that only He could do. God has raised Sedrick up to be a Joseph in the land he has planted him and I'm blessed to have him as my Kingdom spouse and partner for life. We look forward to sharing a more in-depth account of the things he encountered in his life along with the way God has protected him through it all. 

In the meantime, if you want to see more information on this story below are links to his interviews with the local news station along with his story that is published in the National Registry of Exonerations.

National Exoneration Registry

WALB - Awaiting Retrial

WALB - Charges Dismissed

If you have loved ones who are being held captive whether, physically incarcerated or in bondage of some other kind, just know that Jesus came to set the captives free. I declare that he who the Son sets free is free indeed. If you'd like me to stand in agreement and pray for them please reach out and I will be happy to do so. 

I love you and pray that God has blessed you in some way through this writing. If you'd like to receive new blog post notifications you can subscribe. If you'd like to leave a prayer request or a testimony please feel free to do so.

May God bless you!

Much love,

Holly W <3