The sentencing of Clarksville man Chris Young wasn't decided lightly — even the former federal judge who decided his fate in 2014 admitted the punishment didn't fit the crime.

Now, Kim Kardashian has been advocating for Young's release and was at the White House on Wednesday for a meeting on prison reform. Young was sentenced to life in prison four years ago for drug-related charges.

Kardashian has approached Trump before in the hopes of releasing someone with a life-sentence from prison. In May, she discussed prison reform with the president.

A week later, he granted clemency to Alice Marie Johnson, a Memphis woman who served 22 years in prison for a first-time drug offense.

More:Details emerge about Tennessee judge's White House meeting for Clarksville man's clemency

Who is Chris Young?

Young was one of 32 people charged by federal prosecutors in December 2010 for drug offenses. Prosecutors believed they were involved in drug trafficking in Clarksville, and that Young was buying crack cocaine from a leader of the ring at a gas station. He was charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine, among other charges.

The new charges triggered the federal "three strikes" law, which requires a mandatory life term if the defendant is found guilty. Because Young had two prior drug-dealing convictions, the three-strikes law was triggered.

He was convicted in August 2013, and sentenced the next year to life in prison.

Kevin H. Sharp, the federal judge who sentenced Young told the USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee that he believed the three-strikes law was wrong in an exclusive interview last year, after he resigned from his seat.

As a federal judge however, Sharp had to impose mandatory minimum terms.

"If there was any way I could have not given him life in prison I would have done it," he said in the 2017 interview. "What they did was wrong, they deserved some time in prison, but not life."

Back in private practice, Sharp previously said he would work to get Young's sentence commuted, though it could take years.

But Young's record isn't limited to the charge that sent him to prison for life. He has been arrested 10 times on state charges including aggravated assault, weapons charges and numerous drug charges, according to Sandra Brandon, spokesman for the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office.

And, she said, he has an active warrant, for a violation of community corrections.

"If he were released today, we'd have to pick him up," said Brandon said.

Clarksville attorney Jeff Grimes did not work on Young's federal case but represented him in six other local cases, from before Young turned 21. He said Young made mistakes when he was a teen and young adult was "still redeemable."

A few weeks ago, Grimes was contacted by Young's current attorney, Brittany K. Barnett, and has talked with her and Kardashian about Young's background, while also reaching out to the District Attorney's Office in hopes of settling the outstanding warrant.

That attempt was unsuccessful, so even if freed on federal charges, Young will still have to face the outstanding charge in Tennessee.

Chris Smith contributed to this report.