In a news conference, President Trump used Powell as an example of the new law changing lives.
“One of these newly freed Americans is Troy Powell, who is with us today. In 2004, Troy was sentenced to 20 years for doing a drug offense,” said Trump.
The bipartisan act approved by lawmakers and signed into law by the president gave more than 3,000 prisoners a second chance.
The law aimed to make the justice system fairer. Among other things, it eliminated the three-strikes life-sentencing provision for some offenses. It also modified mandatory minimum sentences for some drug traffickers with prior drug convictions.
Powell was released from prison and got a job at a North Carolina lumber company.
However, he was arrested again in February. Caldwell County detectives said he and three others were caught with thousands of dollars in meth and were charged with trafficking.
On March 6, Powell was arrested on federal charges, including conspiracy, possession and intent to sell meth.
Powell was still in prison on a $500,000 bond.