Quoted from jamesmc:

I had 9 years of the justice dept due to my actions. (Marijuana load) Pre trial, prison, supervised release. Pre trial was hardest. Unless your a rat, your not sure of your outcome or how much time you will get. Then supervised release because it's a theoretical life sentence. They can keep sending you back and restart the beginning of your 3 to 5 years of supervised release. Prison was easiest. I just despised rats and white collar guys whose victims were people instead of banks or Institutions.
The whole point is deterrence. Which is why prosecutors slap people on the wrist, but get in on paper. Next time, problem is much bigger. And with these types of scammers, there is usually an escalation of money. My deterrence was achieved. I purchase marijuana from legal delivery services. I pay way more than I would if I made a few calls to old buddies, or even returned a few calls. I miss old friends, but wouldn't walk in anyone's house that does anything illegal. That's deterrence. Not that a prosecutor would pick this (case) up (a few would still with one complainant), but I don't see any deterrence from this guy doing it again, and on a much bigger level. Bravo to the man for making restitution if that's the case. Sometimes things end up as they should, but the multitude of effects this has on victims can be understated.