Donna Nelson, a 58-year-old grandmother, has been sentenced to six years in prison after being caught transporting methamphetamine in a suitcase to Japan. Nelson had met her online lover, who she believed to be a respectable man, on social media. The man, who went by the name ‘Kelly’, convinced Nelson to carry a suitcase to Japan for him, claiming it was for his Japanese shop. Nelson, who had reservations about the plan, ultimately agreed to carry the suitcase.

Despite not declaring the bag as belonging to someone when she arrived in Japan, Nelson claimed she did not know the drugs were inside. She testified in court that she did not feel like she was being scammed by Kelly. However, prosecutors questioned why she had to transport the suitcase if Kelly had an associate in Laos who could have delivered it instead. Nelson’s lawyer blamed her responses on poor English skills when questioned by customs officials.

During the trial, Nelson’s daughters spoke in her defense, stating that she thought she was coming to Japan for her love story and had no other intentions. The judges expressed sympathy for the way Nelson was taken advantage of, but still found her guilty of playing a peripheral but essential role in the drug trafficking. She was sentenced to six years in prison, minus the time already served. Nelson plans to appeal the decision to a higher court, a process that could take a year.

Nelson’s family maintains that she was a victim of a romance scam and was unaware of the drugs in the suitcase. They are disappointed by the court’s verdict and believe she is a victim of a crime, not a criminal. Nelson has spent nearly two years in her cell without contact with her family, except through lawyers. Japan, where criminal trials have a 99% conviction rate, conducted her trial before a panel of three judges and six civilians.

Despite her conviction, Nelson’s lawyer maintains that she did not knowingly transport drugs and had checked the suitcase, finding it empty. The decision to appeal the verdict was described as unreasonable, and they plan to continue fighting for her freedom. Nelson’s family has raised concerns about the conditions she has been kept in while in prison and maintain their belief in her innocence. Nelson’s case highlights the dangers of online romance scams and the consequences of being unknowingly involved in criminal activities.

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