Tuesday
May052009
Just How Did Samantha Orobator Manage to Be Impregnated in a Women's Prison? - Deborah Peagler
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at 8:13AM The Blogmother Several of you have sent me emails about Samantha Orobator. So in case you were not aware of this case, This one is from Lorraine.
This sister is in deep trouble and I am so sad for her family. Some of these countries don't play when it comes to drugs and actually do put those found guilty to death. That includes Americans, Britians and Australians. The last such case that made my heartache was Nguyen Tuong Van, a Vietnamese Australian who tried to smuggle drugs through Singapore. The Aus. government tried in vain to get the Singaporis to reconsider the death penalty, but the 11th hour appeal efforts were futile. which actually contributes to their low crime rate. They let his mother claim the body once her son was hanged.I don't want to see the same fate for this young lady. I don't care what the lure or promise of money is, these little countries mean business when it comes to drug traficking. Some would say they are hypocritical, but at any rate the risk is NOT worth it. And how did she get pregnant in a women's prison? I assume she was raped but they are not concentrating on that right now. People are trying to save her life. I am praying for this young lady and her family. A firing squad? Oh my. And what about her unborn child? So sad so sad.lorraine
Here is the link from The Telegraph. How exactly do you become impregnated in a women's prison? And how exactly does a 20 year old get her hands on 1.5 pounds or heroin? We don't know the facts of this case, however, there is many a federal prison bed filled by a Black woman who got involved in the drug trade because of "love". Paging Kimba Smith. Paging Kimba Smith!
Here is another link a reader sent about the case of Deborah Peagler.
PLEASE view this brief newsclip of Debbie Peagler and her family members: http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/video?id=6707472
www.freedebbie.org
I'm a law an order kind of person, but Its rare that I get two stories in a day about anyone rallying on behalf of incarcerated Black women, so this is a rarity.
Speaking of incarcerated Black women, Mychal Bell''s Mama got arrested for failure to pay child support. The Jena 6 are a gift that keeps on giving.
Don't forget to like our Facebook Page. We shut down our NING network. My book More Than Words is now available for download for $3.99 | 39 Comments | Share Article
39 Comments | Share Article tagged Uncategorized in Uncategorized
Uncategorized in Uncategorized
Reader Comments (39)
It's common for women to be impregnated while in prison. In all likelihood, she had sex with a corrections officer (guard). In this country, that's automatically rape, whether it was consensual or not. I have no idea about other countries, of course.
I saw this on CNN.com yesterday, but didn't follow it too closely. Probably because of the drug angle. I must say I'm not particularly het up over this case, though I can appreciate the efforts of those who are. If you're foolish enough to go dealing drugs in those countries that have these draconian measures...well, you buys your ticket, you takes your chances. I'm not weeping over her.
According to CNN.com she won't be put to death because she's pregnant.
Dang, CNN.com actually has a missing black woman up on their page. Okay, seriously we've got to find out what's going on with them.
To be honest, This young lady was taken advantage of by a well organised drug gang. Just think for a minute! How could she afford the cost of the trip and the drug. How did she know the right place to get them and where to take them to? Remember this is a 20 year old girl! How much does any girl know at 20, about such an illegal, highly complex business. She probably never even heard of the country called Laos before her trip. Just think about all of this. I am pretty sure that a drug gangster probably started out by dating her and finally lured her into this mess. This is just commonsense!
How was she taken advantage of? I knew girls like this growing up. They willingly did these things in order to get the latest designer clothes, shoes, cars, hair done etc.
Of course she is a foolish youth but being taken advantage of, I don't really think so. But Laos' punishment is very harsh so I hope the UK gov't can work something out with Laos.
One thing I notice about these various stories in the news is that certain circumstances and behaviors they try to pin on African American women are happening to women from different backgrounds these days.
i just sent an email to reprieve.org.uk asking them to please put up info about her status and how to support her and her family on their website. Please send emails as well (katherine.oshea@reprieve.org.uk )! This is critical- she's 20, appears to have been raped and impregnated in Laos prison, and is FACING DEATH BY FIRING SQUAD, even though Laos ... hasn't executed anyone since 1990..looks like racism in sentencing goes global... She needs our activism and support to let Laos and the human rights community to know that we are watching, we care and we demand her life being spared and a fair resolution! It's a miracle that CNN covered her case- it will be up to the public to keep the coverage alive.
There are hundreds of women locked up in SAmerica for the same thing.
Sometimes people are tricked. Sometimes they are greedy. Usually, they get caught.
Watch yourself when you travel.
Well, my point is that she is still too inexperienced to understand fully the weight of what she was doing and the penalty in Laos. She probably was used by more knowledgeable drug gangsters who wouldn't even go on that trip themselves because they fully understand the possible consequences.
Remember that girls are smuggled from russia,asia, africa etc and forced into prostitution without knowing in the first place the real purpose of the trip.
I am glad she won't face the death penalty, but I also don't feel a great deal of sympathy. You've got to be crazy to deal drugs in a foreign country. I'm a fan of National Geographic's "Locked Up Abroad" and every other show is about a young girl who winds up ruining her life for a couple of dollars, a boyfriend, or a free trip overseas. While they might not know the drug sentencing laws of the places they are going (of course a google search would yield this info) they are still willing participants in what they know is an illegal act.
Strange how so many apparently do not feel much sympathy for a Black young woman, imprisoned without the benefit of the most basic rights, and who most likely has been raped while in custody. Further is the issue of the lack of coverage of this case in the US media until recently, and questions about whether her government has done enough to secure her rights.
I suppose it is easier to assume she is guilty of drug trafficking and write her off...
wow..this is so terrible just 20yrs in fast lane of life..who else will lure her into such mess if not the boyfriend..this girls know exactly what the are doing..wanting the best things in life to belong to the biggest babes in town.if is what she succeeded she would have bin the biggest babe in town without me and you knowing what happend.i know many girls that there boyfriends tried luring into such things but they where fast enouf to break the relationship..the fact is the guys she is working with will be busy now clubbing or partying with another set of girls(victims).any way she is lucky that her case is still on if is muslem world by now she would have been sleeping forever with her unborn child.i tink that child in her tommy will be a scar in her heart if she finally lives cos it will look like this veitnam men and will remind her of her terror in laos..well baby girl pay your price that is why the say keep your hands clean in what ever you want to do in life..is better to be a prostitute than a drug dealer..
Reminds me of why I will not check-in my luggage. I carry everything on board.
Once a person leaves the relatively safety of their home country - all bets are off. People need to realize that many other countries don't play, and they don't care where their visitors are from.
Then again, I'd never visit Laos, Vietnam, Singapore, or any other strange country in the first place.
Is she guilty though? I find it interesting how a trial, judge or defense lawyer is never mentioned.
@ PPR_Scribe
The lack of sympathy is because she's not American, and she's a "foreign-born black." So some people may not consider her worthy of it.
Thanks for the info Nathalie - wil do!
The war on Black females is global apparently. We can't get a fair shake in Africa, West Indies, The West, nor Asia either. I often talk about Black females needing our own Israel, shoot, maybe what we really need is our own dang planet! Guilty or not, this sista did NOT deserve to be raped, and there is no doubt in my mind that she WAS raped! If this woman had been White or otherwise, this case would be an international scandal with people (And NOT all of them White if you get my drift) screaming for justice for her.
Naima, you are so right. Apparantly in the minds of many fools, we are the ONLY females on Earth who get arrested, dress in revealing clothing, get pregnant out of wedlock, etc. It's the same old mess all the time.
I pray for this sista and hope she gets back home very soon witout further damage done to her.
I have empathy and sympathy but these governments do not play! I wouldn't rule out traveling to certain countries unless they were on a travel advisory list. You have to be careful no matter where you are about what you do and who you associate with.
Both of these cases are tragic. I wonder how Orabotor ended up in Laos (one of the countries with an illegal on paper, but well tolerated sex slave trade) with Heroin in HER LUGGAGE? Something in the milk ain't clean. Not even an idiot would risk getting caught with drugs in their luggage, especially in a place like Laos. If she had enough smarts to book the ticket hersel, assuming she did so, then I am sure she would have checked whatever advisories were listed through the Ministry of Travel. I sincerely hope she isn't killed.
Debbie's story is also a hot mess, but I wonder how she got involved with this man in the first place. Her website states that,
"Deborah Peagler was introduced to Oliver Wilson in the late 1970's, when she was just 15 years old. Wilson presented himself as a kind and charming man. He took Debbie out on dates, gave her gifts, and acted like a father to her daughter. "
She was 15, a mother and introduced to a grown ass man who she was allowed to go out on dates with because he bought her stuff and attempted to be a father to her daughter? Was Debbie some sort of orphan? Why did she have a 17K Life insurance policy on a man who was nothing more than her pimp and abuser? Why would she offer up her 6 year old daughter to this monster?
He definitely deserved to die for molesting Debbie's daughter. I sincerely hope that she is able to win her freedom so that she can die free and with some dignity.
If we think back to our late teens and early twenties, I'm sure most of us can remember having done some dumb things and for dumb reasons. Assuming the worse (that she's actually guilty and willfully violated Laos laws), she made a BIG mistake. Giving her the benefit of the doubt, I imagine she was coerced, manipulated, or perhaps even framed. Either way, she has my sympathy and I hope she's shown leniency and mercy.
This is a very young girl. I hope they take her age into consideration when treating her case. Let us not talk much about racism in all this. It is our responsiblity as Black people to understand that we have to be careful whenever we are dealing out of our communities. I see no real injustice here ( except for the possible rape of the sister). If she has been caught with drugs then it is possible that the law of that country will applies. Lets hope that the pregnancy works in her favour.
I agree with goldenah about checking luggage in that part of the world. Some friends of mine had jewelry stolen out of their checked bags. No insurance reimbursement either, because they were told that they were "negligent" because the security problems are supposedly common knowledge. So if people steal jewels, who's to say they don't plant drugs, then steal back the suitcase on the other end? And it's funny how she was "carrying" just enough to get her shot. The drug lords either want their mules to get through or to die. I think she was set up. No more of my tourist dollars to SE Asia.
Strange how so many apparently do not feel much sympathy for a Black young woman, imprisoned without the benefit of the most basic rights, and who most likely has been raped while in custody. Further is the issue of the lack of coverage of this case in the US media until recently, and questions about whether her government has done enough to secure her rights.
Exactly, I mean a court of law hasnt even found her guilty of drug traficking yet, but why bother going through all that, its totally unnecessary for her to be tried fairly in a court of law. I mean, they could equally come on here and read the comments and see how she is indeed guilty as charged.
disgusting...
I heard about her case on the BBC radio yesterday. They devoted about ten minutes to it, and interviewed a woman, who is in Laos, from a British organization (the name of which I cannot remember, because I was also making a chocolate almond cake at the time) that is actively helping her. The woman stated that she is trying to get in to see Samantha, but has not been allowed to do so, yet. Also, the BBC presenter spoke with a man from Laos (I think he was affiliated with the justice system there), who unequivocally stated that Samantha came into the prison pregnant, that she was not impregnated there. The BBC presenter pushed him on his certainty--finally, he buckled, and said that he was not sure she was not impregnated in prison. It was also stated during this report that the Australian embassy in Laos has gotten involved with her case, and the woman interviewed said that they are trying to get a British lawyer to represent her in court there.
Some of you are surprised that a black woman would be traveling to Laos. One thing you need to know is that, other than Americans (regardless of race), many people from western countries start traveling young and often and have no qualms about going to a "strange" place.
The thing to remember about her case in Laos is that she has not been found guilty of the crime, yet. If she is found guilty, the punishment in that country is death. It seems, from the Laotian man in the interview that there is talk about, if she should be found guilty, allowing her to serve her sentence in her country--not the death penalty. But, I wouldn't hold my breath on that one. I have a feeling that if she is found guilty, they are going to let her live to give birth to the baby, perhaps nurse it, then they will kill her. I hope she is not guilty. Really, she should have watched "Midnight Express" before traveling there.
This woman is incredibly lucky to have escaped the death penalty. From what I've read, most blacks aren't so fortunate in those countries. To be honest, I think she'll be let go eventually. I don't think Laos wants that kind of publicity. I'd love to "campaign" for her but I want to make sure she's innocent.
For her sake, I'll assume she was framed. Nothing wrong with giving a black women the benefit of the doubt until I'm certain of her innocence. After all, everyone else gets it.
SE Asia has a penchant for seeing draconian measures as "justice".
I definitely believe that something in the milk aint clean, and I'm glad embassies are involved.
One should not limit travel to resorts in Negril; however, be very careful about where you go. I don't think I would check baggage in SE Asia either.
I agree with LorMarie. I also believe there are three sides to every story. So even if this woman did something stupid and knowingly, she doesn't deserve to be raped, if true, nor do I even believe the punishment fits the crime, but something we do as a country as long as we don't need them for military bases is uphold the laws of other countries when it comes to American citizens. She is very lucky to have escaped the death penalty for now. Hopefully when the baby is born that doesn't change.
Ultimately, young girls need to wake up and learnto stop being naive when it comes to matters of the heart where the risks outweigh the payoff.
Sorry if this sounds offensive, but this young British citizen was of Nigerian extraction. Unfortunately, Nigerians have a well-known history of drug smuggling and dealing, internationally and domestically. And their women are involved too.
I thought the story said she was pregnant before being arrested. She announced the fact to the guards because she knew that pregnancy means that she won't get the death sentence. In this case, I don't see her as all that innocent. She didn't abide by the laws pf another country and ger actions make it hard for all of us who love to travel.
Lena, that's a pretty silly, loaded and prejudicial response to this and you know it.
There are far more American drug smugglers than Nigerians, but don't let that fact bother you at all.
So please let's examine the brush before we tar Nigerians with some stereotypical crap which could be used to tar you and yours.
P.S. there is also no need to make up ammendments to the story, she got pregnant in jail. Every news agency that has reported thecase has reported it as such.
Whilst you might not give 2 stuffs about Nigerians and frankly we don't give 2 stuffs about you either, some of us actually care about the fact that a young woman has been denied legal access and been damn near convicted of a crime of which she could still be innocent.
And whilst waiting for justice she has been raped and impregnated.
I swear the anti Nigerian and anti-African vitriol on the web is getting beyond sickening. I guess in your eyes, she's the wrong kind of black.
So please, remain high on that pedestal you've attached yourself. I guess the next time we see some African American on the news convicted of, child pornorgraphy, rape, drug smuggling and anyone of the numerous laundry list of 'crapola' that Americans get up to when they travel abroad.
We can all just be as ignorant and prejudiced as you and say..
'oh well Americans have an international reputation for being rapists, mass murderers, drug smuggling thugs'..
But then that would be stereotypical and infantile just like your response has been.
For crying out loud. Young woman, foreign country, denied access to any legal representation!.
I hope you find yourself in her shoes someday... then you can at least have some awareness of not only how easy it is to be in this situation but also so you can have some kinda awareness of your country's reputation internationally.
What a dolt.
@Soul2
"P.S. there is also no need to make up ammendments to the story, she got pregnant in jail. Every news agency that has reported thecase has reported it as such."
A quote from a report on CNN.com: "He said Orobator declared on the day of her arrest in August that she was two months' pregnant by her boyfriend. After she had already been in jail for some time, he said, Orobator asked for medication to cure a vaginal infection, and he believes it caused her to lose the child." http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/05/06/laos.british.woman.death.penalthttp://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/05/06/laos.british.woman.death.penalty/
So no, I didn't make up any amendments to this story. Just like you, I'm basing my opinions off of what's been reported thus far. So your accusation is baseless.
"Whilst you might not give 2 stuffs about Nigerians and frankly we don’t give 2 stuffs about you either"
So then we're even.
"I swear the anti Nigerian and anti-African vitriol on the web is getting beyond sickening."
I'm not anti-African by any means and made no statement as such. This website commonly points out the problems of African Americans and the violence and criminality in our communities - many times in the harshest and most controversial language. So what makes you think you're special? Nigerians and other Africans are not some-type-of-special, exempt from criticism. I'm just stating a fact about Nigerian corruption and drug dealing. It most definitely exists and is commonly pointed out. Yes, there are numerous American drug dealers, but Black drug dealers outside of the West are rarely American and are instead Nigerian. Not only that Nigerians are cast as criminals and con artists not only in the West, but even amongst other Africans.
"I hope you find yourself in her shoes someday"
Don't hold your breathe on that wish.
What I've read (CNN) is that she was two months pregnant by her boyfriend when she was arrested back in August, lost the baby, and got pregnant again while in prison.
@Lina.
I don't think any african or Nigerian is beyond criticism, but it makes sense to have a clue about what you are talking about before you begin to criticise, because doing otherwise makes you look foolish.
The woman in question left Nigeria when she was 8 years old. She grew up in britain, hence why the British govt. is involved. She is a British citizen, so unless you are saying that having Nigerian genes makes you a criminal, your point is mute and highly prejudicial.
And it has been brought up over and over again, by even the UK embassy spokesperson that she was pregnant in Jail.
You are the only one who suggested that 'she told the guards she was pregnant in order to avoid a death sentence'.
Yes, and African Americans are cast as Obtuse, ll educated rapists, baby mama's welfare queens and crackheads.
I'm sure you recognise a negative stereotype when you see/hear one. But don't let that stop you making a complete tit of yourself.
oh soul2, you're obviously overly-sensitive about belonging to one of the most despised ethnic groups in Africa. Calm down and get over yourself. Toodles!
OOKay Lena and Soul2 this side discussion is OVER!!!
Take it somewhere else!
thanks lena. I'm calm. but just so you know, there are over 300 ethnic groups in Nigeria alone and many of these ethnic groups are not unique to Nigeria.
Again, you do not know what you are talking about.
But I'll happily leave you to your ignorance. lol.
It's pretty funny sha
There are a lot of assumptions about this case. Most reports don't ask the question about the facts that lead to her arrest in the first place. Currently, no one in the press has access to the 'facts' because no one has been given access to her (save for the consulate - which will never interfere in another country's sovereign legal process).
In fact, only these allegations are known at this time:
1. Drugs were found in luggage during transit through Laos.
2. The authorities have stated that the luggage belonged to her.
3. The quantity is sufficient to incur the death penalty.
4. She was locked up in a local prison facility, initially without consular assistance, then without legal assistance. Her family was not informed.
5. She denies the charges, but other than that, zero information has been released.
6. Legal counsel from Reprieve was denied access, despite being issued a visa. Only after international pressure was she allowed to pick a 'local lawyer' from a preselected list. When Reprieve was given access, it was in the presence of government officials - which meant nothing meaningful could be discussed with the detainee.
7. Authorities intend to move her trial date forward. Normally, it takes years for such a trial to be heard, but in an effort to reduce the case's profile, the authorities wish to short list it. Moving the date will make it very difficult for the defence to prepare. If they are heard at all.
8. She is pregnant & it has been reported that this happened while she was detained in a women's only prison.
9. News reports suggest she is being coerced into saying the pregnancy was voluntary.
In many countries, there is no presumption of innocence in drug smuggling cases. Laws in Oceana, Asia, the Middle East (among other areas) shift the burden of proving innocence onto the person charged if the authorities can prove possession. Any luggage can be tampered with. If it has a zip, it can be opened with a pen and resealed in seconds. Without a trace. Even if it is locked. It could happen to you.
Seeing is believing: http://www.securoseal.com/main.php?pg=news&news_id=316
Luggage transit areas in airports are inherently unsafe and affected by criminal activity. It happens all the time and its not just Asia. Its in the west too. Its not an exaggeration - its a fact.
Read about it: http://www.securoseal.com/main.php?id=325
If it happened to you, would that make you a smuggler? Think about it next time you pack your luggage and check it in. Think about it next time you read a news story about a bag just like yours.
Chances are, if it does happen, you won't have a clue until you are in cuffs and the assumptions are written next to your name.
@SecureoSeal: I think that what you're saying holds true in many cases, but not all. As much as I agree that we can't make an automatic assumption of someone's guilt, I think we also have to be careful of making automatic assumptions of her inocence. Why are we assuming she is innocent? The reality is that it is very common for many individuals to intentionally traffic drugs across international borders. This happens all the time, for whatever reasons. We can't just jump and to conclusions and say "oh, she's Black therefore she's innocent". In many cases, no matter how young or seemingly innocent, these minor drug smugglers do their best to "work the system". They know that drug laws in many of the countries they are smuggling to are harsh, and have to have a quick plan in case they caught. I'm not saying that Samantha Orabator is guilty, but I definitwely won't say that she is innocent either. If you know that you can avoid the death penalty for smuggling if you are pregnant, don't you think she may either say she is pregant, or try to get pregant? I'm pretty sure I would!
Drugs and their dealers have decimated far too many children and communities for me to automatically defend those accused of drug-related crimes. I need proof that this is not what they were up to and that they were not setup. Sure, lots of folks are hoodwinked or have something slipped into their bags at international airports, but many are knowingly smuggling. After all, if you're from an extremely broke country or community, this could be the best option you have to make a quick buck. I understand the predicament, but at the same time they are easing their hardship by bringing hardship to others - death and destruction for monetary gain. IMHO
I totally agree with SecureoSeal. No one has even heard how the whole situation transpired. Who would be stupid to put drugs in their luggage knowing it'll be easily found, duh? Anyone knowing they're carrying drugs will probably be hiding it in their stomach somewhere. A few years ago, on the web, it was reported that a cab driver had to rush an 8 year old kid to the hospital as the child was half dead in his cab, apparently, the child arrived at the airport alone and when the doctor operated, he found drugs in the kid's stomach. Now are the ignorant people here going to say that the child is guilty? He didn't even know what his stupid uncle put in his stomach. I believe that this girl was framed, period. Yes, she may have gone on a trip with some boyfriend for a good time, but drugs? I don't think so, something about the whole situation doesn't make sense. Why didn't the Laotian authorities inform the British Govt. when she was arrested last year (they broke an international law by not doing that)? Why deny her access to a British attorney? Why demand that she testifies that she was not raped in order to spare her life (which I really don't think that those people can be trusted to keep their word)? They may even be on a deal with whomever that set her up. How did she get pregnant in prison? It does not smell right, period.
Whoever set her up I'm sure your watching all this. I hope she comes out just to whip your a! How about that?
It is apalling how people can be, even worse, how some people can be so shallow minded. Just pray it does not happen to any of your daughters or relatives. How do people judge when they are unaware of the facts? Has anyone even checked out Laos, or the actual prison online? Can well learnered/literate people really act like this? I doubt it very much!
Well I'm guessing the answer is no, then get searching on google and see if its just conincidental that there happens to be similar cases in the same country.
Countries like that don't have laws therefore, can do whatever they like. If you guys had actually even read the whole story, you would know that she had been to a few countries and was just passing through Laos. The question is why did she not do it in Australia or the other countries she had already visited? Why a lawless country such as Laos?
We can only find out the truth when she comes home (Britain) and until then, the saying "innocent til proven guilty" applies here, 'nuff said!
hi LENA, are you alright?(not very sure i suppose) i admire your guts. you have said all sort of rubbish with your shallow mentality. This said lady(may God have mercy on her) is a british citizen,(not Nigerian) if you've got issues with that great country NIGERIA this is not the right place non the the right topic to voice out your anger. if you are so bold and confident i will advise you to please go to good moring America and repeat this coment you wrote,i quote(you’re obviously overly-sensitive about belonging to one of the most despised ethnic groups in Africa. Calm down and get over yourself. Toodles!) I strongly believe that a lot of your fellow citizen will spit at you if they get to set there eyes on you.wake up lena and face the reality of life is not that cloudy as you thought it.
She is getting what she deserves. If any of you ahve seen what heroin does to people, you would be calling fro this animal to be put to death.
I hope they torture her a bit at least.
Stupid, ignorant, ugly fuckwit
The British government did the only right thing. They made the Asian country's leadership not loosing their face - which is the most important thing in Asia. Australia's policy to put pressure on the Singaporian judical system was the reason why Nguyen was eventually hanged. Also the German government suceeded in 2002 where Julia Bohl was facing the death penalty for possession of 680 gramms of cannabis which carries the mandatory death penalty by Singaporian law. At the end of the day so got 4 years and was released in 2005. But rumours tell the Germans made a lot of "investment commitments". Who knows?