Sage Felon Chronicles

Sage Felon Chronicles One midwife’s journey through the US federal court system.

This passage of Sage Felon  Chronicles details the hidden consequences of being indicted, along with “co-conspirators”, ...
02/26/2025

This passage of Sage Felon Chronicles details the hidden consequences of being indicted, along with “co-conspirators”, in the federal court system at a time when simply routine living felt like a challenge to survive.

During the pandemic,each individual was faced with the burden of considering their lives, families, and livelihood.

The world was under seige and desperation informed our every action… every decision.

Triaging and prioritizing were the tasks at hand …. There was just not enough human or mental energy to carry it all.

Painfully, some loved ones had to be relegated to a status of inconsequential or perhaps, simply, reduced in priority.

The challlenge is, good people of conscience cannot reconcile behavior that dimishes a history of friendship and sisterhood.

So … history is rewritten.

Additionally, lawyers and prosecutors admonished codefendants to not speak with each other and, under pretrial supervision, if that counsel is ignored, the consequences could result in violation and potentially a review of your release pending trial.

When “family” menbers are estranged, there is no room for healing … no opportunity to clear up misunderstandings.

The picture posted is of a happier time … a time when we felt like kinswomen.

So many families … dare I assume, ALL, families, were tragically affected by the pandemic. Fear… grief … and stress, beyond imagination, became the foundation of everyday living.

Concurrently, there were the far reaching social and emotional repercussions of isolation.

In the absence of community, we are forced to fend for ourselves. Sometimes, revisionist history and those,necessary, survival instincts result in loved ones behaving out of character.

In unusual times, those loved ones, cooperate with the government giving testimony that could send you to jail.

I understand… I forgive… they are still loved 💜

Our 5th and 14th amendment rights, together, ensure a PRESUMPTUON OF INNOCENCE.The presumption of innocence is a legal p...
02/22/2025

Our 5th and 14th amendment rights, together, ensure a PRESUMPTUON OF INNOCENCE.

The presumption of innocence is a legal principle that every person accused of any crime is considered innocent until proven guilty.

For the duration of my “ innocence”, I was required to surrender both my passports; placed on pre-trial supervision, (endured home inspections and scheduled monthly check ins).
I was not allowed to leave NYS without permission; and was denied permission to attend my Step-daughter’s (out of state) wedding.

I lost my malpractice coverage; and was dropped by most insurance companies.

I was followed by paparazzi and had articles, devoid of journalistic integrity, published about me and the Sage-femme community.

Additionally, i was shunned by birth-worker professionals; and shut down by Albany Code Enforcement, Somehow, I wasnt feeling “constitutionally supported” or “presumed innocent”.

Through it all… there were those who knew better… those who, without explanation or clarification of my “trial by media”, never wavered in their support… THEY (you), never questioned my integrity and knew there was so much more to the story .. (while also knowing i couldn’t reveal much).

I can’t express the soul-sustaining gift you’ve been.

Every text, prayer, hug, drop off of meals, invitation to vent; legal-fee donation; and more… touched me so deeply.

Collectively, you empowered me to rise each day to navigate the surreal terrain that had become my life.

How many times have we considered the notion of “innocent til proven guilty”?

Is the depiction above consistent with what you might have imagined ?

Following the indictment phase, comes the inevitable PRESS RELEASE!Ethical press releases are clear, accurate, and trans...
02/21/2025

Following the indictment phase, comes the inevitable PRESS RELEASE!

Ethical press releases are clear, accurate, and transparent, and they avoid bias and manipulation. They also follow journalistic standards and respect the public's trust.

So… trusting public… skim through… many do.

As detailed above, does this PSA meet the professed standards of the Journalist’s CODE OF ETHICS?

Raise your hand if, on first review, you gleaned I profited 1.7 million dollars.

Give a thumbs up if you feel there just might be a manipulative intent to that rather lengthy sentence.

Who couldn’t discern that there was more than one case referenced here … even WITH my attention-seeking pink highlight?

Lastly, sound your car horn as you drive by, if you were among those that sent me hate mail wishing me to rot in hell after this was made public!

Today’s entry will begin at the beginning…. How does one get indicted?Police ( in my case, the FBI) conduct an investiga...
02/17/2025

Today’s entry will begin at the beginning….

How does one get indicted?

Police ( in my case, the FBI) conduct an investigation and gather evidence against a suspect. The prosecutor presents the evidence and witness testimonies to the grand jury, who then privately deliberates to determine if there is PROBABLE CAUSE to charge the suspect.

If the grand jury finds SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE, they issue an indictment, formally charging the suspect with a crime.

There are some witticisms fairly well-known in the judicial world. Among them …..

“You can indict a ham sandwich" This is a saying that means it's easy to get a grand jury to formally charge someone with a crime even when there is very little evidence.

In my case, the evidence against me was provided exclusively by 3 witnesses and a fourth letter-writer.

Each of these witnesses had been “incentivized” in some way by being offered immunity or a lesser sentence. I leave it to the reader to ponder the degree of credibility the testimony of a “cooperating” witness might have.
I leave you to also consider the ethics of our plea deal system.

More to come …. For now, I share with you a photo of some new apparel I’ve gifted myself to celebrate my upcoming 63rd birthday on house arrest.
I may also see if I can “Door Dash” some tiramisu 🎂🎉💜

02/16/2025

Missed a few updates …. Now day 13 of home confinement !

I’ve learned that I am not permitted to drop clothes in a donation bin… but my misbehaviors are becoming fewer daily.

Yay me 👏👏💜

Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?

The anxiety of getting through these 30 days has diminished. Still I eagerly await “Independence Day”… (March 6) when my
jewelry will be returned!

Focus now is to proceed to litigate keeping my
license and also seek a presidential pardon.
Go big or go home they say 😉

Thank you to everyone who has supported me these almost 2 years.
The prayers, good wishes, flowers, outreach, donations, letters …all the love in all the ways you have given and continue to give… have been the elixir my soul has thrived on💜💜💜💜
Just imagine the judge’s heart when reading this letter:

Dear Judge Kovner,
My name is Elliana, I am 8 years old. The first time I met Kelly McDermott was when I was born.
She helped birth myself, my mom, my
brother and a lot of my cousins. I am thankful she kept my mommy safe. She is the best!

When I first saw her office for one of my Mom's appointments, it was very welcoming. There were toys for my brother and I to play with. After the appointment, she gave my brother and I an organic lollipop for being so good. Of course she asked our mom first. She is amazing, nice, kind, beautiful, heartfelt, all the things.
From,
Elliana Ostrander

02/12/2025

Day 8….. guess I’m not getting the hang of the rules …. I haven’t had to say “Mother May I” in a long time.

Many of you might find it hard to believe, but I really am not flagrantly ignoring directives.

Got a call yesterday from PO… his caller ID indicates “US COURTS”….. “ You went into Stewart’s he says. You are only allowed to get gas”. These conversations are punctuated with palpitations and a quick review of my recent daily activities.

He was right….. I tried to gas up at the pump at Stewart’s and they declined my card,
I, mindlessly, WENT INSIDE to see what the problem was.

My card had been compromised …. I had to provide a different method of payment.
I did so, called my bank from the car, cancelled card and ordered a replacement…. For not one second did I realize I was violating my probation.

No criminal intention …. Just trying to take care of business.

Please pray for me that I get better at this.

PO was cool again … acknowledged the learning curve … I was appreciative and did deep breathing til my heart stopped racing.💜

02/11/2025

Day 7 on home confinement …. Probation officer was VERY cool …. But I was holding my breath since he didn’t call til half way through the day!

He said he wasn’t worried cause the on call location monitor “Saw me walk into the house at 705pm”
Google maps ???

My particular surveillance device is a :

Global Position System (GPS)

A non-removable, waterproof, and shock-resistant GPS tracker is affixed to my ankle for 24 hours a day. It is required I charge the GPS tracker at least daily. My location is detected by GPS satellites, cellular towers, and/or Wi-Fi.
This form of technology is considered continuous 24/7 monitoring.

Under procedural guidance endorsed by the Criminal Law Committee, this data is closely monitored by the supervising officer.

GPS technology may be the preferred supervision tool when enhanced supervision is needed and the whereabouts of the person under supervision must be monitored when leaving the approved residence.
😳😳😳😳
Guess they deem I need “enhanced supervision”! 🤷‍♀️
Price for enhanced supervision you ask… a mere $4.28 per day … a bargain at twice the price 🤣

02/10/2025

Day 6 on “home confinement” and I’m sleeplessly wondering the consequences for my possible transgressions.

I scheduled with my PO to work with a return time of 630…. I mistakenly wrote in my planner, 7 pm!

My appt was an hour from my home and I had coffee before I left …. 3/4 of the way there … without thinking… I stopped to use a Stewart’s bathroom. I broke the rules.

I got home at 7pm and answered an email in my driveway. Walked into my house 0705… got a text message to call my PO asap about my scheduled leave. I tried and no human available. Then i left an email apologizing and trying to explain my error. PO was adamant about my schedule when ankle bracelet placed …. I was mindless!
I’ll learn tomorrow my consequences🙈💜

Day 5 of house arrest and I’ll start at the beginning.I was to appear for my first meeting  with myprobation officer 3 d...
02/08/2025

Day 5 of house arrest and I’ll start at the beginning.

I was to appear for my first meeting with my
probation officer 3 days after sentencing. I called … they knew nothing about me and I was advised to call back.

Calling back I was given a time slot 3 days later. Ever-mindful of time constraints and needing to schedule my office day… I inquired how much time I should budget for the meeting …. Receptionist replied “about 45 minutes”.

Allowing for delays, and not wanting to inconvenience my pregnant or postpartum mamas, I blocked an hour and a half for introduction, review of the rules, and being outfitted with my new “accessory”.

I was not permitted to bring in my phone … thankful my seasoned midwife husband knew
to be attentive for double ring.

Taking a seat in the waiting room, I observed … visually and empathically.

No one smiled at the probationers as they entered. No one shook my hand upon first meet. The usual social mores were in abeyance at this gathering.

Though we each had reserved appointment slots, those times were disregarded. Hoping for acknowledgment that we individually had set aside time to meet our obligation there ….. I anticipated a “sorry for the inconvenience”.
It wasn’t offered .

An hour and a half in, I realized I would not make it to my office to meet with my client. I asked permission to use a phone and was escorted to a room to call my office assistant on speaker to reschedule my next appt.

I, again, took a seat in the waiting room. A man of color entered to report to his PO. The dialogue they shared was across a crowded waiting room and his personal information was broadcast with no concern for his confidentiality.

His voice conveyed pride…..he felt accomplished at this reporting!

Looking sheepish, he seemed to wait for a pat on the back. None was forthcoming.

Several quiet folks showed for drug tests…. I was then 2.5 hours after my scheduled intake.

African American man enters waiting area …with no winter wear… he paces, talking to himself…. I’m not sure at the time but it sounds to me like he’s detailing a grocery list. Alternately, he laughs and looks at his watch.

Aware of the ticking clock, I ask again if I can use the phone. A second time I am escorted to an office and permitted, over speaker phone, to advise my office assistant to cancel the rest of my appointments for the day.

I return to the waiting room to continue to be a participant observer in this odd chapter of my
life.

Man reciting grocery list is agitated …. He’s begging by the plexiglass partition for attention to put closure to this reporting. I learn that his grocery list is actually the anticipated contents of the box he will pick up from the food pantry. A box that will be given to someone else if he fails to show on time.

My supervising PO is also his …. My scheduled time was before … he was hungry and afraid of staying hungry.

PO comes to collect me for my session..I ask … please take him first … “I’ve cancelled the rest of my day… I can wait”.

Wait I did …. hoping the young man got to enjoy the Mac and Cheese he kept talking to me about.

When it was my turn, the PO did apologize …. I was processed and sent on my way… 5 hours after my scheduled time.

The parking meter had long run out! When you are white, middle class, with resources … a parking ticket is an inconvenience. I am privileged and I am also an outcast.

Where there are no smiles I worry that the people in that office find no joy in their day.

I spent 5 hours discovering a conditioned humanity ….it was on both sides of the plexiglass divide!

I hope my friend made it to the pantry on time.

02/07/2025

Sooo…. Thank you all for showing an interest in my written venture.

I first want to say that I am going to start by detailing present day experiences and then recap… from indictment to sentencing!

I do not seek to generalize my experience but merely share it.

I make no judgement about my codefendants, their motives/actions. As humans we are all the walking wounded and many of our decisions emanate from fear… fear for us individually and also fear for our families.

In referencing law enforcement professionals, ( FBI, prosecutors, probation officers, and Judges), I hope to portray only my experience and make no sweeping assumptions that any individual is the archetype for his/her brethren.

These chronicles are intended to raise more questions rather than provide answers. I hope sharing it all will provide a much needed catharsis for my aching heart.

Nothing worse than an Irish woman who must muzzle her voice and feelings!

Address

959 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY
12206

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Sage Felon Chronicles posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Sage Felon Chronicles:

Share

Category