What is justice? Kansas City man faces prison after years of clean living

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Mike Enriquez is a changed man. Everyone says so—his employer, his ex-wife, and even his former father-in-law.

He holds a job and helps former prison inmates get their commercial driver’s license.

Or rather, he did, until last month.

That’s when Enriquez was taken back to prison despite living on the right side of the law, finding a job, finding support, and supporting his family. Those who love him call it a tragedy. But prosecutors say they’re following the rules.

His story begs multiple questions: What is the point of prison? Is it to rehabilitate or punish? And what is justice?

A troubled past

Enriquez has spent more than half of his adult life locked up. He has drug, theft and DUI convictions.

Somewhere in between stints in jail and prison, Enriquez married. The parents of the bride were “mortified.”

About a year after the wedding, Enriquez was arrested again and sent back to prison. But not before the couple had a baby girl. She’s now 10.

“We did everything in our powers to disrupt an obvious bad situation for our daughter,” said Kevin Miller, Enriquez’s former father-in-law. “I’m ashamed to say we hoped something would happen to him in prison and prevent him from disrupting (our granddaughter’s) life as well.”

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Enriquez’ most recent conviction was a federal charge—felon in possession of a weapon. He was sentenced to 75 months.

But while out on supervised probation, he was caught with drugs. So he went back to prison for violating the terms of his parole. He wasn’t charged with a crime.

Federal prosecutors waited years to file the drug charges.

Getting on track

Things changed for Enriquez during his last incarceration. He received a support system. The same father-in-law who called him a “bad guy” started corresponding with him.

“I began to understand how his life led him to (his) state, and began to appreciate him,” said Miller.

And when he was released, it was Kevin who picked him up. Enriquez lived with Kevin and his wife for several months while he worked a minimum-wage job and got on “solid footing.”

Then Enriquez learned about a truck driving school — New Reflections Technical Institute. He was accepted and was on the road to success.

The school provides education and training for young people who might have struggled in traditional schools. It also provides education and training for former inmates. Before long, Enriquez was asked to work as an instructor.

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“My boss saw something in me,” said Enriquez. “I recall him saying, ‘If you can save one, that one can save others.’ And that resonated with me.”

“I’ve been a part of impacting hundreds, if not thousands, of lives,” said Enriquez.

He said he can relate to them because he’s been there. He knows the struggles of substance abuse, homelessness, and losing loved ones.

Enjoying family life

These past few years, Enriquez has fully embraced family life. When he’s not working, you can often find him with his daughter. He’s also a father figure to little Leo, who is 4 years old.

He cheers for the kids at sporting events. Goes to their parent-teacher conferences. You’ll find him in lots of family photos, enjoying everyday things that families do.

He supports his family emotionally and financially.

“He’s different now — just different,” said Kevin. “I love him just like my son.”

For a while, Enriquez had it all — a supportive family, a good job, a sense of purpose. But then, the rug was pulled out from under him.

The past isn’t always past

That police stop when Enriquez was found with drugs came back to haunt him and he was finally charged.

“Here I am now, with my life on track and standing on firm foundation. I am facing losing everything,” said Enriquez.

“Why wait till after they’ve rebuilt their life to take it all away and have to do the whole thing all over again,” questioned Ashley Miller, Enriquez’s ex-wife.

Prosecutors said they’re following the law. It is within the statute of limitations, and COVID has delayed some charges.

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“A prosecutor is referred to as a minister of justice,” said Peter Joy, a legal ethics professor from Washington University in St. Louis. “A prosecutor should do something more than just to simply seek convictions.”

Joy said it is likely the case was a low priority. It may have been at the bottom of the pile, and eventually moved to the top of the pile.

“I just think it’s unjust,” said Joy. “If the government is going to bring charges against someone, they should bring them close in time to when they have sufficient proof to prove the crime.”

Back behind bars

When Enriquez appeared in court on the charges, he had an entourage of support — including his bosses.

“I want the judge to know that if you speak for justice, let it be for justice but also to help save people’s lives,” said Mike Byrd.

“When they change, you still have the old rules,” said Willow Byrd. “It didn’t make any sense to me.”

Just a few weeks before its start, Enriquez decided to skip the trial and plead guilty.

“It’s a hard decision, but at the same time, I’m not trying to say I didn’t do anything because I did do something,” said Enriquez. “I’m responsible for my actions.”

Enriquez and his loved ones hope the judge takes into consideration the work he has done over the past few years.

“We want them to rehabilitate,” said Miller. “We want him to join society and be productive members of society. And he’s done that.”

His public defender will argue for probation.

“I’ve been a public defender for over 31 years and Michael’s case is definitely rare, in my opinion, and pretty, pretty extraordinary,” said Moss.

Moss asked the judge to consider release until September sentencing, but that was denied. Enriquez is facing a 20-year sentence. In the meantime, he waits behind bars.

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