Hello Friends,

My name is Walter Alexander Sorto. I am 32 years old. I was born in El Salvador, Central America, on August 10, 1977. I am looking for friends, anyone who can share the outside world with me through letters and possibly help me better my situation. All are welcome, male or female, and age is not a problem. I will be honest, sincere, and I will respect your views.

I have been incarcerated since 2002, been on Death Row since December 2003, and I have to say that these past seven years have been the worst years in my entire life. To begin with, I was convicted and sentenced to death for a crime I did not commit. I did not know anything about the law, my rights, or understand enough English to realize what was going on. That and being poor, contributed to me being sent to Death Row. I do not speak or write English very well, but I'm learning because I want to live.

Growing up in El Salvador was difficult. Starting at age seven, I always worked to help my grandmother and family. At age seven there isn't much you can do, as in work, or know much about life, but you know that you want to help your family.

I worked as a helper, loading and unloading fishing boats, sometimes fishing itself. I worked washing and cleaning car windows at intersections, shining shoes on street corners. I mean anything to earn a little money to help my family out.

Finally, at the age of seventeen, I made the difficult and dangerous journey to the United States. I hitchhiked and walked my way through Guatemala and all of Mexico with the sole dream of a better life for me and my family. Anyone who has ever been through this journey knows it's not an easy trip, but I wanted my family to have a better life, that was my dream, and through many nights and days of pain and sorrow mixed with hope, I finally made it to Houston, Texas.

Once in Houston, I worked at a chemical plant for seven years. Thank God for that. I settled down and started a family with my ex-wife. I have three beautiful little daughters who are my world. Then came my arrest and conviction, and I lost all contact with my family. The last time that I saw my daughters was in 2005. I am practically on my own, but I have hope. I trust God, and that gives me the strength to face each day.

As for my hobbies, I enjoy listening to music - Salsa, most Spanish music and classic Rock. I enjoy going outside on our outside recreation days. Sometimes I like to exercise, to draw pictures, and, in general, just to have a good time and make the best of everything. I don't get a lot of mail, but hopefully this will help me find someone who can relate to being alone in the world and, despite the odds, to having hope.

You can write me in English or in Spanish. Thank you for time you. God bless you always.