Goleta husband and father turns life around after stint in prison

A Goleta man is celebrating a new beginning after spending nearly 6 years in prison for attempted murder.

Sean Michael Crane, 31, said he focused on faith and fitness while behind bars.

The personal trainer grew up in Goleta with parents who were addicted to drugs and alcohol.

“I started to realize that my parents were different than the kids around me,” Crane said.

With a father in prison and a mother out of the picture by the time he was a teenager, Crane was raised by his uncle.

But, he was lost and turned to drugs and alcohol himself.

In April 2012, Crane was at a party on Santa Barbara’s Mesa when he got into a fight that broke out between two groups.

Crane said he was intoxicated.

“I was covered in blood and I fled the scene. I was terrified,” he said. “The next day I was arrested by the police department and charged with attempted murder.”

Two men were stabbed in the altercation. One of them was in critical condition, but survived his injuries.

Several witnesses claimed Crane was responsible. Crane admits he got in a fight, but said he didn’t have a weapon and didn’t stab anyone.

“I was sitting there faced with a life sentence for something I didn’t do and it shocked me and it was like me being in a nightmare that you can’t escape,” Crane said.

Crane was facing a life sentence if convicted. So on his lawyer’s advice, he took a plea deal and was sentenced to 7 years in prison.

“I tell people prison was the best experience of my life, not my surroundings but what I found within myself,” he said.

While behind bars, Crane reflected on his life and made a commitment to stay sober and make the most of his second chance.

The former aspiring professional baseball player turned to fitness and also began working with other inmates.

Crane is now a personal trainer and businessman raising a family with his wife.

He wants to spread the message that no matter what happens, there is always hope.

“Just because they went to prison and went down the wrong road at one point, that doesn’t have to be the end for them,” he said.