A Family’s Plea To Potus For A Pardon: The Weaponization Against His Supporters Continues (Videos)
October 19, 2026
Over the past year, The Gateway Pundit has shared stories about Michael Castillero and the criminal case brought against him and two others by the Southern District of New York, a case that the Eastern District of New York refused to prosecute and then was shopped around until Jack Smith’s comrades at the SDNY took a liking to it.
Michael Castillero received 11 years in prison, Francine Lanaia 8 years, and Brian Martinson 10 years. Each received 3 years of supervised release. The court also ordered them to pay $115 million in restitution. The defendants were also ordered to forfeit specific real and personal property they obtained as a result of the fraud and to pay the following forfeiture amounts: Lanaia: $24,259,128.80; Martinsen: $25,355,714.43; and Castillero: $24,279,516.80.
At a time when the weaponization of our legal system has been exposed, thanks in part to social media, how can we sit by and pretend that Americans have not been victimized and targeted by overzealous scumbags in State’s Attorney offices and/or the DOJ for their successes and even more so for their beliefs?
Were Michael and his business partners targeted after social media posts that expressed support for President Trump were put up? Michael believes so, as do the many people who support him. It’s hard to dismiss after learning the stories of the many politically persecuted people, whom we’ve become aware of over the last 5 to 10 years. Also, not for nothing, we are talking about the SDNY – whose record speaks for itself.
You can Google their case and see many stories posted by the DOJ and Mainstream Media, calling them fraudsters and accusing them of running a Ponzi Scheme, etc. Accusations they all still vehemently deny.
Something you will not see in those articles is that Michael was given an extra year on his prison sentence for speaking out on podcasts, articles, and social media regarding his innocence. Let that sink in. An extra year specifically because the prosecutors and the judge were not happy that he spoke out and was exercising his First Amendment Right.
An article by Attorney Jonathan Gross, written for TGP, explains this egregious misuse of power. Side Note: This was the first article found in support of the three defendants on Page 3 of a Google search. You can read it here or watch the clip below when Gross was on Tucker Carlson’s Podcast recently.
Thank you @Jon_Gross for mentioning me being weaponized against on @TuckerCarlson , yes it’s correct the judge blamed my appearances on shows like @DiamondandSilk for me going on to show a lack of remorse https://t.co/OFIJcNKZiB
— Michael Castillero (@MikeC0921) October 16, 2026
Previously, Michael, Francine, and Brian had been ordered to self-surrender to prison on October 29th. Their motion for “Bond Pending Appeal” had been denied by Judge Jesse M. Furman. Michael 48, Brian 49 and Francine 61 have not been convicted of any violence and are not threats to society. In a motion signed by Judge Furman on October 14th, their surrender date has now been extended to Dec 10, 2026.
Michael has written an open letter to President Trump, Alice Marie Johnson, and Todd Blanche requesting a “Pardon of Innocence.” His family has sent letters to President Trump in support of Michael.
Michael was recently on the Freedom’s Front Porch Podcast that airs live every Tuesday at 2:00pm ET on the America First Media & Television Network.
Michael’s family will have no home soon, as his assets will all be seized by the government if no relief is given to them.
Please visit his GiveSendGo Here if you’d like to help his family.
He has also been on The Case for America with Treniss Evans on Real America’s Voice airing every Saturday 4:00 pm ET.
DOJ & SEC CAUGHT: TARGETED TRUMP SUPPORTERS – MORE LIES, MORE CORRUPTION! More prison time for innocent victims.
— Treniss J. Evans III (@CondemnedUSA) June 6, 2026
The case against Michael, Francine, and Brian is one that a lot of people like to rush to judgement on due to its nature. Here is a video by Ann Vandersteel that gives you an idea of the case and why these three people should not be taken from their families for nearly a decade or more.
Their surrender date has been pushed to Dec 10th @POTUS please Pardon these innocent people!!!
Keep them out of prison!!!
Thank you @annvandersteel!!! @MikeC0921 https://t.co/XpkPi2l97a— Jenn Baker (@Jennbaker) October 19, 2026
The post A Family’s Plea To Potus For A Pardon: The Weaponization Against His Supporters Continues (Videos) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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Author: Jenn Baker