weldon angelos was a 22-year-old aspiring music producer and father of two young boys. his own recording company, eventually collaborating with big names like snoop dogg. angelos also got involved with selling pot. the police caught wind. they set up three stings buying about $1,000 worth of marijuana from angelos. during the deals police say angelos had a gun in his possession. the critical detail that made this case so extreme. the case went to federal court. angelos was convicted. >> mindless is a good word. >> reporter: under the law, judge paul cassell was forced to do something that burdens him still. >> do you think about him? >> i do think about angelos. i drive on the interstate by the prisoner what he's held. i think, that wasn't the right thing to do and the system forced me to do it. >> reporter: under federal mandatory minimum sentencing laws angelos was facing 55 years for the gun and marijuana charges combined. he was a first-time offender. >> mandatory minimum is a sentence that says the judge has to impose a particular minimum number of years. it ties t