Originally published May 29, 2021. Statements about the law were updated in October 2026; the box below gives today’s rules.
Outcomes vary. A past result does not predict or guarantee the outcome of any other case.
In May 2021, a federal judge in Minnesota granted compassionate release to Guy Edward Wheelock. He was 65, used a wheelchair, and had many serious health problems, including diabetes and heart disease. The court found that strict release conditions would keep the community safe.
United States v. Wheelock
United States District Court for the District of Minnesota
2021 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 99684
A long list of health conditions led to compassionate release.
Mr. Wheelock’s health
At 65, Mr. Wheelock has a long list of medical problems. He has type 2 diabetes. He also has a history of heart disease, recurring low blood pressure (hypotension), high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia), and anemia.
He has nerve damage (neuropathy) in both feet and a chronic ulcer on his ankle. Because of severe hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) in both legs, he uses a wheelchair and needs vascular surgery.
On April 22, 2020, he tested positive for COVID-19. For six months afterward, he had chronic diarrhea.
His conviction and sentence
Mr. Wheelock is in prison because of a charge from November 7, 2013. He pleaded guilty to one count of Receipt of Child Pornography. On February 29, 2014, he was sentenced to 180 months in prison, followed by twenty years of supervised release (supervision by a probation officer after prison).
Why the judge said yes
Mr. Wheelock asked for compassionate release because of his many health conditions. The court noted that he had served over seven years, about 60% of his sentence. It said that, based on research on reoffending, he was unlikely to commit another crime because of his age. It also noted that he had no disciplinary reports in prison.
In granting his request, the court pointed out that he will be on supervised release for twenty years, and his release conditions will reduce any danger to the community. For example:
- The probation office must approve all of his computer use first.
- The probation office may install computer and internet monitoring programs on any computer he can use. Monitoring includes random checks and taking any computer or device for a full examination.
- He may not be around anyone under 18 unless a responsible adult approved by the probation office is present.
- He must take part in sex offender treatment and/or mental health treatment as approved by the probation office.
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