Criminal Defense - Sentencing

[jenkay1]

My friend was convicted of a drug trafficking crime in 2005 in another state and was sentenced to 15 years in prison. He was in possession of 500 grams of a subtance containing a detectable amount cocaine and a firearm was found in his possession in his vehicle. This was his first offense. It is my understanding that he signed an agreement waiving his rights to an appeal. I am by no means saying that he doesn't deserve to be punished for his actions, but his sentence seems a little unproportionate to his crime. All across the nation, there are murderers who are receiving an equal or lessor amount of a sentence for their crimes. How is it that violent offenders are receiving the same amount of lessor time for taking a human life? I know that parole doesn't exist in the federal system, but are there any options available to my friend at this point?