Join Our Letters for Raven 23 Writing Campaign

Today, four heroes face uncertain futures. 

Dustin Heard, Evan Liberty, and Paul Slough were ripped from their families even though the government’s own evidence shows they were defending themselves in a war zone while performing their official duties with their government-issued weapons, and even though the government recently admitted during the appellate process—for the first time in nearly a decade—that the ENEMY fired first.  Although these men’s sentences have been overturned, with the exception of one of Evan’s convictions, the courts have upheld their unjust convictions.  For over a year, these men have been sitting in federal prisons without sentences waiting for the trial judge to follow the appellate court’s mandate. There is now only a small chance of clearing their names through the legal process, and it is possible that they will be resentenced to lengthy prison terms.

Nick Slatten’s conviction has been overturned because evidence of his innocence was hidden from his original jury, and a mistrial was declared in his second trial when his jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict. Although an attempt to stop a third trial is presently underway—based on new exculpatory evidence and more government misconduct revealed during Nick’s second trial—the government has announced its intent to try Nick, again. Jury selection in Nick’s third trial is set to begin October 29, 2018.

Will you join us in fighting this injustice?

It seems unthinkable that a pardon may be the quickest way to get all four of our heroes home. But the reality is that, while Dustin, Evan, and Paul still have a few legal options after they are resentenced, any "postconviction" claims they raise might not be successful, and they will take years to work their way through the courts. Nick is about to find himself being judged by a third civilian jury, and although we are as confident as we can be that this jury will hear the truth and acquit him, there is no guarantee in his case either. Depending on the outcomes of the resentencing and Nick's trial, there is a strong possibility that we will be reaching out to President Trump for pardons. In the meantime, we need you to help put the Raven 23 case on his radar!

Will you please write a letter to Donald Trump?

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Fill out the personal information and copy and paste the text
of the sample letter into the "What Would You Like to Say?" box at the bottom.  

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Letter to President Trump (Summer, 2018)

President Donald J. Trump
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
Re:  The Decorated Veterans of Blackwater's Tactical Support Team Raven 23

Dear President Trump:

I am writing on behalf of four decorated veterans who need your help. These men—Dustin Heard, Evan Liberty, Nick Slatten, and Paul Slough—went to war for our country and served deployments to some of the world’s most dangerous regions. Then, after their tours were over, they went back into harm’s way as contractors supporting the Department of State’s mission to bring democracy to Iraq.

In 2007, while working under Blackwater's contract with the State Department, they came under fire and faced a car bomb threat in a Baghdad war zone. They used the force necessary to do their jobs and come home to their families, only to find themselves convenient targets of a political witch hunt. For over eleven years, they have been fighting their way through a civilian justice system that has failed at every turn. 

As a result of numerous rights violations during the legal proceedings, one of these men (Nick) is scheduled to be tried (by a third civilian jury) in October 2018. The other three men (Dustin, Evan, and Paul) will be resentenced sometime after that. 

I ask that you look into their case. These are good, honorable men who, under stronger leadership, would still be fighting for this country, not against its government. What has passed for justice so far in their case is anything but, and it is time that is recognized through a presidential pardon. 

Respectfully,
[Your name]

Pray for justice for these men and their families

"I just visited with Paul, and his eyes were alight with hope and love after the outpouring of support yesterday. He sends his gratitude to each of you and his prayers for your safe travel.  Nick is spending time with his family now, and I wish you all could see the hugs, love and smiles being shared between our families in the jail lobby. God has washed his peace and hope over us, as many of you have prayed it so on our behalf." - Christin Slough, April 14, 2024

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad." - 2 Corinthians 5:10 NIV

“Do not spread false reports. Do not help a guilty person by being a malicious witness.  Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you give testimony in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd." - Exodus 23:1-3 NIV

Write a Letter of Encouragement

Get your pens ready to encourage a hero!  They love getting mail, so let's get to work.  Don't abbreviate anything or your mail won't make it! 

Paul Slough 16017-081
FCI EL RENO
FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION
P.O. BOX 1500
EL RENO, OK  73036

Dustin Heard 16020-081
FCI MEMPHIS
FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION
P.O. BOX 34550
MEMPHIS, TN 38184