Ben Kramer to be released!?!?
 

http://autoweek.com/article/indycar/...prison-release


Looks like it may happen

His 2 cohorts just got a pass

Interesting... give me the popcorn.

I have always wondered though, does he have the resources to jump right back into boats? I wish I knew all the circumstances,but I dont, so I'll keep my judgement to myself

The real Maimi vice story will they pick him up in a Helicoptor?:violent040:

Interesting read.....thanks for posting! I used to get Autoweek for years and that was the first article I have read from them in a long time.

We should start a thread on all the things that Ben should know about boating (changes since he has been gone).....

1. Lots of no wake zones in Dade/Broward that weren't there before (maybe a quick lesson on manatees)
2. Reggie is retired
3. If he wants to insure high performance, he will have to take a Tres Martin class! :D
4. Weed is better today than back then and legal in some states (isn't that a kick in the balls to a guy serving decades for it)
5. Key West Poker Run is bigger than the race itself (as far as boats participating)

Maybe send him out on a reality show as a buyer looking at Apaches and then let the owners spew the accolades and Ben can call them out on any mistakes! :D

This sums it up right here:

Last spring, U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. endorsed a U.S. Sentencing Commission proposal to reduce sentencing for convicted drug dealers. About half the 215,000 federal inmates were sentenced for drug-related crimes.

In July, the Commission granted full retroactivity to a guideline amendment, permitting nearly 50,000 federal drug inmates to petition for reduced sentences. The initial release of some prisoners begins November, 2015. The goal is to reduce prison populations, slash costs and restore a sense of fairness in the criminal justice system.
- See more at: http://autoweek.com/article/indycar/....PNUCxciH.dpuf

The de-criminalization of narcotic offenses. Here in California we have the early parole release program (PROS) where narcotic offenders are released early of there initial crime was non violent (even if they were later cinvicted of violent crimes) and prop 36, allows offenders to go to "counseling" for their drug using, selling, transporting, etc problem.

Over crowded jails and prisons and lack of funding is the problem. The real problem however is that drug sales and use are the root cause to violent crime as well as property crimes to support the habit.

Before prop36 here in ca. You'd get a mandatory 90 days in jail for being under the influence of heroin, meth, coke etc. This would get the user that's stealing your sh1t off the street and it would give them the opportunity to dry out and attempt to stop using. Worked great.


Aaaaaaanyway, I'll step down from the soap box.


Wasn't Kramer due to get out pretty soon anyway. Ran into his kid in KW a couple years ago. Nice guy, worked at a bar off of Duval st.

PS, why did Cashbar edit dreamers post??

Don't forget about lanyards.....

First, Lanier must spend the next months in a residential re-entry center. He is neither permitted to drink alcohol nor patronize establishments that sell it. The court forbids him from possessing firearms or weapons. Among several other stipulations, Lanier must submit to one drug test within 15 days of his release from prison, and to at least two periodic drug tests thereafter. He is allowed to be drug-tested once a week for a year. He must also undergo drug and alcohol treatment.

Wow I can see the Drug test but also treatment ? I think after doing 25 years the monkey is far gone.

And to Deny the guy a couple nice cold beers with a Pizza when he gets out is just cruel.

Because it was only titled "Kramer to be released?" and only had about 70 views. I added "Ben" so it made sense to more people.

Eric Holder. His actions advanced his career accordingly.

this could be a real sh*t show with the whole apache deal.

Isn't Aronows Murder going to keep him in there?? I thought he got more charges for that, which the others didnt.. No???

Some cars Ben might be interested in:
http://bringatrailer.com/listing/188...enig-specials/

http://bringatrailer.com/listing/1981-porsche-935/

Think about it, Iphones/pads, internet weren't around, cell phones were the size of cinderblocks, Blockbuster was on every corner renting videos (gone today), Dow Jones was 2500 (today is 16,000+), Nasdaq was 500ish (today 4300+).......but somethings haven't changed, the Dolphins still haven't won a Superbowl so he didn't miss much there! :D

finally a post of yours that i like

almost spit up my wine on the keyboard

Wonder if he has any unfinished business. Some people are probably shi--ng in there pants.

I was under thst impression as well. He plead no contest to manslaughter I believe.

And was sentenced to 19 years for that, i read that sentence is served. Its the pot that was the life sentence.

Don't forget Step Bottom hulls.

So it takes a Ben Kramer thread for you to come out of hiding and post again? :)

I wonder if they will bring up any other charges to keep him there? I'm sure they thought the convictions they got would keep him in jail forever.

Doesn't quite work that way. Statute of limitations are all run out unless they have another murder case on him they never filed.

I doubt anyone is sh!ting their pants. Maybe their Depends but, I'm sure that is a common occurance with any would be's.

To much time has past for that.

Geez, let the guy out. The Aronow thing was a plea of convenience just so he could get of Dade county. Bobby Young testified that Ben had nothing to do with it and that it was Columbians. Since Young was the shooter, you'd think he would know. Besides, he paid that 19-year debt.

Great read, I had no idea all that was going on behind the curtain at IMSA back in the day! There is always more than meets the eye...

I wonder if he has any assets hidden? New boat prices may have him in the dumps.

Jump back into what? The market has changed slightly since he left it :D

Got ya, I didn't realize that. Life sentence for weed for these guys???

There is just a wee bit difference between a dime bag and 10 tons...

There is just a wee bit difference between a dime bag and 10 tons... While trying to sell l the government the boats that will supposedly catch you... I suppose there were a few in govt. that saw that as Ben asking for the roofies to rape their daughters, I just don't think it went over well....

Not really. Lol.

Of course there is money hidden, his dad was the brains behind the money and he got a fine and a suspended sentence so he has been babysitting the money for decades.

The catch is going to be accessing it/spending it......Govt. is going to be realllllly suspicious if Ben starts flaunting wealth while working a halfway house job for $10 an hour!

I would think at this point, Ben will be thrilled to be out of the box he has lived in for the last 25+ years........it has to do some mental damage for sure thinking you were never getting out (life sentence).

NEWS
NATION : 10 Years in Failed Copter Escape
April 13, 1990 | From Times Wire Services
A former champion race boat driver was sentenced today to 10 years and five months in federal prison for attempting a dramatic helicopter escape from a federal prison. Benjamin (Barry) Kramer, 34, will serve the sentence consecutive with a life term stemming from a drug smuggling conviction in Illinois in 1986, said U.S. District Judge James Kehoe.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...77161500,d.cWc


http://articles.latimes.com/1990-04-...1_bicycle-club

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...77161500,d.cWc

7I doubt it, I mean other then money what did he ever dring to the biz/sport? Near as I can tell he was a rock star boat racer type that was at least smart enough to finance the greatest talent avaliable of the day. Although I would suppose if he teamed up with Bobby and knocked out a hand full of special edition wave crushers there would no doubt be buyers. :cool:

Did he plead or go to trial and was found guilty ? How many different charges did he plead or was found guilty, and was it ion only in the Federal Court, and or was found guilty by a Judge in the 11th Circuit Court in Florida (I am assuming he had Dade County charges). With those answers, the next question, is what were the sentences handed down by each Judge, sentenced to be run concurrent or consecutively ?

I am making an assumption the there was a global settlement, meaning all the charges from all the different courts and counties were consolidated to one big mess and dealt with at the Federal Level, but I could be completely wrong, I do not practice law in Florida, or in the Federal system, but I do know a thing or two about criminal law, and the court system (not as a defendant) as a pleader (attorney)...

This may be very interesting thread, and each time one of the OSO community post about Ben Kramer there is alot strong opinion, and speculation. I am neutral, I neither like nor dislike the man, he did wrong, he got caught, the 1980's were pretty wild, it is the past, we move on, time does not stand still...He paid his debt, I am a forgiving person, so set the man free, he is old, and if he violates the terms of he is parole, then he is toast. My $.02 opinion.

With those questions answered, then if and when he gets released will be much easier to determine/speculate.

What is a thread without pictures, Warpath is one of my all-time favorite boats, then I had to include Firewater and Island Runner two local boats, then Ike's 41', I find a picture of Ed Stella's 41' - I would have posted that too, and some other assorted and random Apache pictures. There were some LEGENDARY boats built by Apache...how can you not like Apache boats, really ?

Some nice pics Smarty. Pics from when offshore boats were run offshore.

I agree, legendary, Apache Heritage, is an other, I know that was redone and is now an orange colored boat. I wonder what Ben Kramer thinks about all this fuss on OSO when his name comes up ? It would be very interesting to speak with him, not about the convictions, but just about the boats, the boat business as he remembered it, and offshore racing. I am sure there are some very interesting stories and drama from the past criminal conduct, but as I tell all of my clients, keep your mouth shut.....

IMSA
International Marijuana Smuglers Assocciation

i like this pic