Are we living in a police state? What we hope to be a ridiculous question in modern times is turning out to be a reality for many African Americans in this country.

Aaron Harvey is a law abiding citizen with no criminal record who grew up in a rough, gang infested neighborhoods of San Diego, California. He is facing life in prison for what appears to be flashing gang signs on the popular social media outlet, Facebook.

Sounds ridiculous? We are sure Mr. Harvey feels the same, but his reality of facing the life in prison sentence makes it all too real. Harvey is one of 14 other men being charged by an obscure California law accusing them all of conspiracy with gang members who killed nine people in 2013 and 2014.

This case includes the rapper Tiny Doo, aka Brandon Duncan, who is also facing life in prison for his album. This case blew up late last year as people were outraged someone could be sentenced to life for making music.

Read here: California Rapper, No Criminal Record Faces Life Sentence In Prison for His Album

The conspiracy law passed in 2000 says gang members can be prosecuted if they benefit from the grimes of other gang members. Duncan and Harvey are falling victims to this legal loop hole implemented by the State of California. The prosecutors are saying Duncan’s music sales went up as a result of the shootings by the gang.

However, how does Harvey tie into this? Where did he benefit?

“They’re saying I benefited because my stature, my respect, went up,” Harvey said. “I didn’t even know I had any stature. I don’t understand how someone can benefit from something they don’t even know exists.”

Harvey facing life in prison because his “stature & respect” goes up? This might sound like reaching to you and I, but I assure you this is very much real and a man’s life is on the line over the prosecutors interpretation of this law and how one benefits from the gang’s activities.

“If the district attorney wins this case, and I am convicted of crimes I didn’t commit or have any knowledge of, not only will my life change forever, but so may the lives of every young person who had been wrongly documented as a member of a gang,” Harvey said.

Some of the defendants in this case have already had their cases dismissed. This is what Harvey and Duncan hope happen at the March 16th hearing. If the case isn’t dismissed, then Harvey is set to stand trial April 20th.

SOUND OFF: What do you think of the American justice system if a man can face life in prison for a Facebook post?

Source: RawStory