Helping someone avert a prison sentence =pidyon shvuyim?

I'm not sure the equation is correct. Has anyone tried to make the argument for the man who was in the news a lot and was just sentenced more harshly by the judge than he had to be? The following was posted on a shul list. I removed some phrases with names and put in bold the quote I find most striking. So what do you think?

I hope this e-mail finds you well.

I know everyone is beseiged with requests for Tzedaka, but this one
should not be ignored. Please act TODAY !!

A person I know has been caught up in "the net of the Manhattan D. A"
and was facing a plea bargain of 3-6 years in prison.

Because of his financial situation he felt helpless and all alone and
was willing to accept a prison sentence he did not deserve because he
lacked the funds to defend himself. I found out about this 2 weeks ago,
a week before he was going to sign the plea bargain.

B"H we now have an extremely competent attorney, __________, a
partner in_____________, who is handling the case and
has already met with the D.A. and begun to disassemble "the case"
against him.

In America, you shouldn't have to go to prison because you are a
shlemazel. He is innocent of the charges against him. Rabbi __________, Av Beis Din of ____________ is actively
involved in this.

This attorney requires a retainer of $35,000. We have taken out a
bridge loan to help meet this expense, but it must be repaid.

Several people and I , including_________________
have taken it upon ourselves to raise this money. If you want to
participate in this tremendous mitzvah, you can make your check payble
to ____________.

Besides knowing the person personally, the mitzvah of Pidyon Shevuim is
one that we in our generation do not usually have the opportunity to
be M'Kayim, and will stand by our side this Yom Kippur when we ourselves
are being judged.

In this zchus, may Hashem bless you with Hatzlacha, Nachas, Gezunt, and
Parnassah.

Please let me know what you can do. Time is of the essence and we are
many thousands of dollars short of our Goal. . If you can help, please
reply via e-mail what you can do so I can keep track.