Crime, race and grace

Erick Kalenga
Published: March 23, 2008

The big topic in our community during this Easter week has been the Jason Compton and Jeff Ferris cases. I heard a number of opinions in regard to this situation. Some say justice wasn't served; some also say it was motivated by race.

Evidently, a lot of people think there is a double standard.
In a front-page story Tuesday, the Star-Exponent reported that "Jason Brad Compton, a former corporal with the Culpeper County Sheriff's Office, entered a plea agreement Monday afternoon in Culpeper County Circuit Court, accepting a rare charge of adultery in lieu of a state investigation into whether he had sex with an underage girl.

"Compton, 32, who resigned from the CCSO last month, must pay a $250 fine and $80 in court costs within the next 30 days. In return, he will be exempt from future charges, not face a trial by jury and not have to register as a sex offender."

On the other hand, read the following passage from another front-page story, this one dated Feb. 26:

"A former Culpeper karate instructor will spend a year in jail for having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old female student.
"Jeff Allen Ferris, 40, pleaded guilty to a felony charge of indecent liberties with a minor. A misdemeanor charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor was indefinitely suspended.

"(Judge John) Cullen sentenced Ferris to five years, with four suspended. Ferris will be on probation for five years and must register as a sex offender. He cannot contact the victim or her family or have contact with girls under the age of 18 unless a person aged 21 or older is present. In addition, he may not teach juveniles in any capacity for the rest of his life."

First of all, I would like to say that I'm not a legal expert, nor do I have all the facts for the two cases. For a number of years I was involved with the juvenile court system as a mentor, case manager and as an electronic monitor program manager. I saw white people and black people receive consequences for their actions in very similar cases to these.

When you look at the outcome of these two cases, it certainly gives the appearance of a double standard. I spoke to a number of people from both races. Most of them said that in Ferris' case it seems like justice was served but in Compton's situation it appeared the court system failed to provide a punishment that fits the crime.

I spoke to a couple of lawyers and they both said that Compton should have been charged with indecent liberties with a minor while she was in his supervisory care. The allegations are that this incident took place in a government vehicle and the girl at the time was part of a law enforcement program for youth.

While Ferris will never again teach karate to minors because of the crime he committed, Compton will live his somewhat normal life since he did not have to register as a sex offender.

I believe that the Compton case was not addressed appropriately due to the fact he had sworn to serve and protect the community and the people and he failed to do so.

These types of situations are causing our young people to lose faith in our legal system; furthermore, it's causing them to have no trust in law enforcement agencies. We can say race may not play a huge part in this situation, but we should not forget that the battle between the races is still very much alive. I believe people are camouflaging racism.

As a Christian, I strongly believe that the body of Christ should lead the way in the reconciliation process. because Christ has reconciled us with God the father through His death, burial and resurrection (Romans 5). Reconciliation implies a change in attitude on the part of two or more individuals, a change from enmity to friendship.

During this Easter weekend, while we gather with family and friends let's remember that the price has been paid for all our sins because of God's grace. I believe that if Ferris and Compton offer genuine repentance, God is faithful and just to free them from condemnation.

Erick Kalenga is an independent columnist who appears Sundays in the Star-Exponent. He lives in Madison County.
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