One of three former FAMU students indicted in the grade change scandal was sentenced Monday.
Lawrence Secrease will serve 22 months in a federal prison and three years under supervised release, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Secrease, along with Christopher Jacquette, pled guilty to charges of unauthorized access of a protected computer, identity theft and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Jacquette received the same sentence in April for 22 months.
While some family and friends thought the sentences were too much for the crime some students did not.
“The punishment fits the crime,” said Frank Metellus 21, a senior criminal justice student from Miami. “You can’t steal federal dollars and expect to get a slap on the wrist…the sentence could have been much worse.”
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Marcus Barrington, the third former student indicted, did not plead guilty. A jury found Barrington guilty in March on all charges and is scheduled to be sentenced in June.
The former FAMU students caused the grades of close to 90 students to be changed, affecting 650 grades overall. The trio changed “F” grades changed to “A” grades and residency status of several students.
“My heart goes out to the family and friends on the defendants…but this is a tough situation for both the defendants and the school.” said Student Body President Gallup Franklin. “I look forward to them succeeding in life after they serve their appropriated times.”
Secrease must report to prison June 18 to serve his sentence.
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