Ryan represented a defendant indicted by the United States Attorney’s Office with Felon in Possession of Firearms. He had three prior felony convictions and his Federal Sentencing Guidelines included a maximum of 10 years with a suggested guideline sentence of 70-87 months in federal prison. Ryan’s client got himself into treatment, changed his entire life, and dedicated himself to sobriety. At the sentencing hearing, the Article III federal Judge came out intending to send Ryan’s client to prison. After a very lengthy sentencing hearing, after arguments were made, the Judge, in the most unusual of circumstance, left the bench and returned 20 minutes later. The Judge told Ryan’s client that she had intended to execute a lengthy prison sentence, but after hearing the sentencing argument, she changed her mind and executed a probationary (no prison) sentence. Ryan’s client broke down sobbing, and the hearing had to be placed on hold. Instead of surrendering to the United States Marshals, he walked out of the Courtroom into the arms of his family.