NASSAU – Drug lord Austin “Ozzie” Knowles is back home in The Bahamas after being granted compassionate release last month due to an undisclosed medical condition.
Knowles, who ended his decades-long battle against extradition to Florida in May 2018, was deported here on December 29 after he was re-sentenced to time-served.
He pleaded guilty to drug trafficking offenses on October 8, 2018. He was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment on June 10, 2019 and ordered to forfeit $1 million.
However, Knowles’ sentence was reduced to seven years to reflect the time spent in custody while fighting extradition.
As such, the 60-year-old was expected to be released on February 8, 2025.
Knowles’ first bid to be freed on early on medical grounds was shot down last December.
In a ruling released on December 15, 2021, District Judge Robin Rosenberg said there were no compelling reasons for his release.
Knowles had claimed that his life was in danger due to a COVID-19 outbreak in the McCrae Prison.
Knowles said there is no social distancing at the prison and that he was at greater risk from COVID-19 because suffers from hypertension and obesity.
He said, “I should not have to face a potential death sentence or long-term permanent health impairment from COVID-19 as a result of my guilty plea and sentencing.
“I fear for my safety and my life because the Delta Variant is widespread through the prison that I am housed in.”
However, Knowles succeeded in convincing the court to free him early during a second application.
The arguments and reasons for his release have been sealed by the court.
The medical parole program — which is also known as “compassionate release” — is for inmates who are terminally ill or permanently incapacitated, and do not pose a public safety risk,
Copyright Bahamas Court News 2022
