Overnighters – Outrun Change

Where is he now? Keith Graves, star of “The Overnighters” documentary

Federal Correctional Institution Pekin Illinois Front by Prison Insight is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Update 9/17/20 – Bureau of Prisons website shows Mr. Graves has scheduled release date of 5/17/43. He is still in Pekin FCI. Recap of posted release dates:

5/19/16 release date 12/24/43
10/23/18 release date 12/24/43; no change
8/31/19 release date 1/5/44; slippage of 12 days
9/17/20 release date 5/17/43; about 7½ months earlier; which is 22 years 8 months from now

He is age 44 as of 9/17/22, so he will be 66 or 67 years old at his schedule release date.

If you were reading my blog a few years ago, you recall lots of discussion of the documentary The Overnighters. The movie provides one perspective on the oil boom in Williston, North Dakota.

As you may recall, one of the main characters was a fellow by the name of Keith Graves. He was identified by the director as one of the individuals who “survived” the tumult seen during the time the movie was filmed. If you want to catch up on his story, check out this link.

Where is he now?

Federal prison.

Continue reading “Where is he now? Keith Graves, star of “The Overnighters” documentary”

Increased interest in “The Overnighters” documentary – part 3 of 3

Flaring of natural gas. A common site in 2012 and 2013, but is rare today. Photo by James Ulvog.

There has been a lot more interest in my posts on “The Overnighters” documentary recently. This is the third and final part of this series of followup on the documentary. Previous discussions include my disclosures, and reporting with agendas.

This post will close with some lessons we can learn from this disaster.

Other articles

As I was looking for some source of the increased interest lately, I also came across some older articles I’ve not noticed before. Keeping in mind my extended discussion in part 2 about writing with agendas, these additional articles have a minimal agenda visible.

Continue reading “Increased interest in “The Overnighters” documentary – part 3 of 3”

Increased interest in “The Overnighters” documentary – part 2 of 3

There has been a lot more interest in my posts on “The Overnighters” documentary recently. This is part 2 of my followup on the documentary. Previous discussion, including my disclosures, is here.

Might want to get a fresh cup of coffee. This will be a long read.

Reading a story when I know more than the reporter

It is fascinating to read coverage of a story when I have in-depth knowledge of the issue.

Continue reading “Increased interest in “The Overnighters” documentary – part 2 of 3”

Increased interest in “The Overnighters” documentary – part 1 of 3

There has been a lot more interest in my posts on “The Overnighters” documentary recently. In particular, my 7/2/15 discussion of Where are they now? Follow up on people you saw in The Overnighters documentary has been getting a lot of page views. It has been running between 100 and 130 views a month for the last six months, with a peak of 217 views in January. Yesterday, 7/16/17, there were 62 views.

While those counts of page views are trivially small for the internet world, that’s a lot of attention to one of my posts, especially one that is two years old.

Did some searches online and cannot find what in particular is driving that growing interest. Did find a few things that I wanted to mention.

“Overnighters” streaming on Netflix in July and

running on lots of PBS stations

Continue reading “Increased interest in “The Overnighters” documentary – part 1 of 3”

Convicted human trafficker Keith Graves has been moved to a federal penitentiary

Long-term housing for Mr. Graves. Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.

The Bureau of Prisons inmate locator page reports that Keith A. Graves is now in custody at Victorville Medium I Federal Correctional Institution, located in Victorville, California.

Update 7-19-16: for future reference, his inmate number is 13523-059. His middle initial is A, for Alexander. Age 40 as of summer 2016.

Update 10-23-18: Mr. Graves is still at Victorville Medium I FCI with an unchanged release date of 12/24/2043. Just 25 years and a couple months to go. His current age is 42, which means he will be 67 years old on his scheduled release date.

I’m not quite sure I understand why he would be at a medium security prison. I obviously don’t understand these things, but seems to me that a drug distribution conviction and five trafficking convictions would land him in a higher security facility.

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Expected release date for Keith Graves, star of The Overnighters documentary

Long term housing for Keith Graves. Photo courtesy of DollarPhotoClub.com — Well-earned long term housing Keith Graves will occupy for a several decades. Photo courtesy of DollarPhotoClub.com

The Bureau of Prisons reports an expected release date of December 24, 2043 for Keith Graves (register number 13523-059).

If you have been following my blog, you recall Mr. Graves was convicted on five counts of human trafficking, one count of drug distribution, and one count of drug possession.

His well-earned sentence was 33 years, 9 months.

Mr. Graves was a key player in a documentary titled The Overnighters, which covered Williston and the oil boom in the Bakken. We now know that Mr. Graves conned the producer and the pastor featured in the documentary along with a large number of women whom he trafficked.

Accuracy of my calculation of his release date

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More background on Keith Graves’ sentencing.

The view from Mr. Graves’ residence for the next 33 years or so. Photo courtesy of DollarPhotoClub.com

As was mentioned earlier, on February 17th many women who had been trafficked in prostitution received justice when Keith Graves was sentenced to 33 years 9 months in federal prison.

Amy Dalrymple interviews several of the victims and explains After the trauma of sex trafficking, women struggle to cope. The emotional aftermath is severe. The trial was devastating for the witnesses, because Mr. Graves was able to cross-examine them in person since he was representing himself. Check out the article for a better description of the trauma involved.

Most of the sentencing documents are now available in the federal PACER system. Since those are public documents, I will post them as part of this discussion. Feel free to read the following documents if you are really interested. Or really, really bored.

I will summarize and comment on the documents in case you don’t want to read them.

Sentencing

The sentence is 405 months for each of five counts of trafficking, with sentences to run concurrently and credit for time served. That is 33 years and nine months. Follow along with me for a few minutes and I’ll explain where the 405 number came from.

Continue reading “More background on Keith Graves’ sentencing.”

Keith Graves sentenced to 33 years 9 months

Long term housing for Keith Graves. Duration of residence yet to be determined. Photo courtesy of DollarPhotoClub.com — Residence of Keith Graves for the next 33 years. Photo courtesy of DollarPhotoClub.com

Sentencing was on February 17. Federal judge Daniel Hovland sentenced Keith Graves to 33 years 9 months in federal prison for five counts of human trafficking along with drug possession and distribution.

2/18 – Williston Herald – Man sentenced to 33 years for sex trafficking (online link not available) – Article says the feds asked for life. Judge ruled 33 years 9 months is the appropriate sentence. Article says he noted that is within federal sentencing guidelines.

Update: Viewable copy of above article: Dickinson Press – ‘Despicable’ sex trafficker gets 33 years in prison

Prosecutors claimed in the hearing there were “dozens” of additional victims, none of whom could be located for the trial. It looks like those victims were identified by review of the electronic devices confiscated from Mr. Graves. He denies those devices are his.

Mr. Graves says he will appeal the conviction. He also objected to several references to previous conviction (or convictions, not sure) for sexual offense.

I have not read the sentencing arguments filed by the US Probation Office. Last time I checked, the document was posted at the federal PACER system but not available to be read.

Sentencing guidelines

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Update on Keith Graves sentencing – 2/11/16

Now-convicted human trafficker Keith Graves is still scheduled for sentencing on Wednesday, February 17. That is the latest information visible on the federal PACER website.

A presentence investigation report was filed yesterday, 2/10, but is not available on the website. It is not noted as sealed. I don’t know the PACER system well enough to know what that means. Usually when something is posted it is available immediately.

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Update on status of Keith Graves – 1/22/16

Checked the docket in the federal PACER system again today for the now-convicted, felon, sex-trafficker Keith Graves.

No change since my last update on December 18. No new filings in district court. I can’t find any appeals in the 8th Circuit.

Sentencing is still set for February 17. That is just under four weeks away.

What’s noticeable by being absent is the sentencing recommendations from the federal Probation Office, opposition from Mr. Graves’ attorney, and rebuttal by US Attorney. At this point it sure seems to me there should be several filings regarding the recommended sentence. As of this morning, nothing has been filed regarding the sentence.

Minor followup on media discussion of Bakken

Actual productive effort in North Dakota. Photo by James Ulvog. — Actual productive effort in North Dakota. No spin here. Fuzzy photo by James Ulvog.

Two minor followups, first on the evening soap opera ‘Blood & Oil’ and then a documentary about Williston. Mentioned both of these previously.

In addition to getting the production run cut from 13 to 10 episodes, the drama “Blood & Oil” took a two-week vacation on the schedule during November. I was wondering if the show was even going to finish out the run of 10 episodes.

Well, according to Wikipedia the show finally made it through airing all of the reduced run. Ratings and share has stabilized in the basement with the number of viewers trending down.

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Update on status of Keith Graves – 12/18/15

Just checked the docket for now-convicted human-trafficker Keith Graves on the federal PACER system. The only new item since my last update is a forfeiture order. I don’t see indications that he has filed an appeal.

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Bakken update – Williston considers driving up housing prices. Heat caused 2 derailments in Montana.

Mancamp near Stanley. Photo by James Ulvog.

City of Williston may likely vote this week to close all man camps within their jurisdiction. Dramatically reducing supply of housing will have the obvious impact of driving up prices. Keep in mind that is a choice of the local government.

Heat is what caused two derailments in Montana back in July. Not the oil that was on board.

Major construction work on Main street is finished.

11/6 – Amy Dalrymple at Dickinson Press – Oil backers push to keep crew camps as decision looms for Williston

Continue reading “Bakken update – Williston considers driving up housing prices. Heat caused 2 derailments in Montana.”

Wild guesses on possible sentence after Keith Graves is convicted – part 2

Now that Mr. Graves has been convicted on five counts of human trafficking plus possession and distribution of meth, I have started to think about what sentence he has rightfully earned and will be justly delivered to him in full.

Previous post discussed why I am paying such close attention to Mr. Graves’ case. Short answer is this expands my understanding of the federal legal system, extends my detailed discussion of the documentary The Overnighters, and overlaps my interest in the shale boom in North Dakota.

This discussion looks at the offense level and my wild guess on possible sentence. Previous post discussed the concept of criminal history level.

Offense level

Continue reading “Wild guesses on possible sentence after Keith Graves is convicted – part 2”

Wild guesses on possible sentence after Keith Graves is convicted – part 1

Now that Mr. Graves has been convicted, I will start to think about what sentence he might earn.

Having noticed how closely I am following the case of now-convicted human trafficker Keith Graves you may wonder why I am paying such close attention to his case. ~~After reading this post, you will be really curious.~~ (12-19-15 update) I hope this post explains my curiosity.

Why am I paying such close attention? Continue reading “Wild guesses on possible sentence after Keith Graves is convicted – part 1”