Donte West

In 2017, Donte West received a seven-year, eight-month prison sentence in Kansas in a cannabis-related case.

While incarcerated, West began studying his case, writing lawmakers, pursuing clemency, and challenging the conviction from inside prison.

After approximately three years and eight months in custody, his conviction was vacated after previously undisclosed exculpatory evidence came to light. The case was later dismissed, and West was exonerated in 2021.

Instead of walking away from the criminal-justice system, he turned his experience into a career advocating for people still trapped inside it.

Today, his work spans clemency, sentence reform, cannabis justice, reentry, international humanitarian advocacy, and complex negotiations involving individuals facing severe criminal consequences.

In 2025, West — identified by Reuters as negotiator for Jarred Shaw — became involved in the case of American professional basketball player Jarred Shaw, who was incarcerated in Indonesia after being arrested in connection with THC-infused gummies.

As Andscape reported, West traveled to Indonesia, met with local prosecutors, worked alongside Shaw's Indonesian legal team, engaged with officials connected to the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, and advocated around both the criminal case and Shaw's access to medical treatment.

His involvement continued through Shaw's prosecution, sentencing, medical advocacy, and efforts to secure his eventual return to the United States.

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