Obama Grants 153 Commutations, 78 Pardons to Convicted Felons

According to the White House Blog, Barack Obama is wrapping up his presidency much like he spent his time in the Oval Office: ignoring the need for criminal justice reform and continuing to support criminals who have brazenly chosen to ignore the law.

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Neil Eggleston, White House Counsel to the President, released the following announcement yesterday:

Today, President Obama granted clemency to 231 deserving individuals — the most individual acts of clemency granted in a single day by any president in this nation’s history. With today’s 153 commutations, the President has now commuted the sentences of 1,176 individuals, including 395 life sentences. The President also granted pardons to 78 individuals, bringing his total number of pardons to 148. Today’s acts of clemency — and the mercy the President has shown his 1,324 clemency recipients — exemplify his belief that America is a nation of second chances.

Although the president still plans to issue even more grants of both commutations and pardons before finally leaving office in January, he has already surpassed every other president in his pursuit to show ‘mercy’ to “deserving individuals” – criminals previously found guilty of such offenses as possession of a firearm by a convicted person, possession of an unregistered firearm, possession of a shotgun in relation to a drug trafficking offense and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.

Among the 153 commutations issued, 39 (including 10 with life sentences) were imprisoned for charges including firearms violations. Among the 53 pardons issued, 4 individuals were serving time for firearms violations.

The 43 convicted felons imprisoned for crimes using firearms who will benefit from Obama’s mercy are listed below, however the law-abiding citizens who will benefit from Obama’s continued efforts to release criminals back into society are few.

Lee Henry Berry – Possess with intent to distribute less than five grams of cocaine base; possess with intent to distribute five grams or more of cocaine base; possess with intent to distribute less than 500 grams of cocaine; felon in possession of one or more firearms
Sentence: 360 months’ imprisonment; six years’ supervised release (December 20, 2007)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 180 months’ imprisonment.

Peter Christian Boulette – 1. Possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; possession with intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine (two counts); possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime (two counts); felon in possession of a firearm
2. Possession of a firearm by a convicted person; possession of an unregistered firearm
Sentence 1: 600 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (March 13, 2007)
Sentence 2: 87 months’ imprisonment (concurrent); three years’ supervised release (March 3, 2008)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 300 months’ imprisonment.

Gregory R. Boyd – Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; possession of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking offense; felon in possession of a firearm
Sentence: 420 months’ imprisonment; eight years’ supervised release (July 18, 2007)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on December 19, 2018, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

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Jermaine Brown – Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute cocaine, cocaine base, and marijuana; possession with intent to distribute cocaine; possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime (two counts); distribution of cocaine base
Sentence: 548 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (July 8, 2011); amended to 511 months’ imprisonment (June 13, 2016)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 211 months’ imprisonment.

Maurice Davon Cawthon – Possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of a mixture and substance containing cocaine base; possession of a shotgun in relation to a drug trafficking offense; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; possession of an unregistered firearm with an overall length of less than 26 inches, including a barrel of less than 18 inches
Sentence: 240 months’ imprisonment; eight years’ supervised release; $600 fine (December 17, 2004)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on December 19, 2018, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Calvin Lavan Clark – Possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of cocaine base (crack) and a quantity of cocaine; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime
Sentence: 354 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (September 17, 2008)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on December 19, 2018, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Jeremy Conner – Possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base; possession of firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; felon in possession of a firearm
Sentence: Life plus 60 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (December 10, 2008); amended to 240 months’ imprisonment (October 26, 2011)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 180 months’ imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Theartis Daniels – Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime
Sentence: Life plus 60 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (June 1, 2006)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 18, 2017.

Larry Lamont Davie – Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing cocaine base; aiding and abetting possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing cocaine base; possession of a firearm in the furtherance of a drug trafficking crime
Sentence: 180 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (January 8, 2007)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 18, 2017.

Terrance Terell Dendy – Possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine; felon in possession of a firearm; possession of a firearm in connection with a felony
Sentence: 180 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (May 25, 2010)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on December 19, 2018, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

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George Ralph Ellis – Possession with intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing marijuana; carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime; possession with intent to distribute fifty (50) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing cocaine base
Sentence: 180 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (July 18, 2005)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 18, 2017.

Korell Ellis – Possession with the intent to distribute cocaine base; use or carry a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime
Sentence: 295 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release; $14,330 fine (March 12, 2002); amended to 248 months’ imprisonment (October 7, 2015)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 18, 2017 and unpaid balance of the $14,330 fine remitted.

Cecil Ray Frye, Jr. – Conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine; possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking felony (two counts)
Sentence: 548 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release; $9,546 restitution (December 4, 2003); amended to 300 months’ imprisonment (September 11, 2007)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 211 months’ imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Anthony DeWayne Gillis – Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; false statements (three counts); possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking (six counts); possession of a sawed-off shotgun
Sentence: 1,748 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (October 14, 2005); amended to 1,711 months’ imprisonment (November 2, 2010); amended to 1,681 months’ imprisonment (December 28, 2015)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 240 months’ imprisonment.

Jeffrey Gray – Conspiracy to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine; attempt to possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine; possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime; money laundering; felon in possession of a firearm
Sentence: 480 months’ imprisonment; lifetime supervised release (December 22, 2008); amended to 384 months’ imprisonment (December 22, 2015)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 240 months’ imprisonment.

Chalmers Lavette Hendricks – Conspiracy to violate narcotic laws (cocaine); possession/distribution cocaine (crack); possession of a firearm by convicted felon during drug trafficking crime; possession of firearm/ammunition by convicted felon (two counts)
Sentence: Life plus 300 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (October 26, 1995); amended to life plus 60 months’ imprisonment (March 6, 1998)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 360 months’ imprisonment.

Larry Darvell Henricks – Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, marijuana, and methamphetamine (two counts); possession with intent to distribute marijuana; possession with intent to distribute (four counts); using a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking offense (two counts)
Sentence: 420 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (October 13, 1995)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on December 19, 2018, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

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Larry Dwayne Hill – Aiding and abetting to conspire to possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine; aiding and abetting the possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine; felon in possession of a firearm (two counts)
Sentence: 262 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (February 2, 2007)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on December 19, 2018, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

James David Hinkle – Distribution of methamphetamine (two counts); use or possess a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime (two counts)
Sentence: 375 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (September 13, 2004)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 18, 2017.

Harold Dean Jones – Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances; felon in possession of a firearm (two counts); distribution of heroin; possession with intent to distribute heroin
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (May 10, 1995)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 18, 2017.

Donald Steven Looney – Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and aiding and abetting; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and aiding and abetting (two counts)
Sentence: 548 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (May 19, 2006); amended to 511 months’ imprisonment (June 2, 2016)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 211 months’ imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Mary Beth Looney – Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and aiding and abetting; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and aiding and abetting (two counts)
Sentence: 548 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (May 19, 2006); amended to 511 months’ imprisonment (June 2, 2016)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 211 months’ imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Daniel L. Morgan – Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine; attempt to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine; conspiracy to use and carry firearms in relation to a drug trafficking crime; using and carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime; felon in possession of a firearm
Sentence: Life imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (February 7, 2002)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 360 months’ imprisonment.

Lawrence Maurice Powe – Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute schedule II (cocaine) controlled substance; Possess with intent to distribute schedule II (cocaine) controlled substance; use of firearm in a drug trafficking felony (two counts)
Sentence: 480 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release: $100,000 fine; $900,000 forfeiture obligation (July 28, 1992)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on December 19, 2018 and unpaid balance of $900,000 forfeiture obligation remitted, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

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Chad Christopher Pyne – Conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and more than 500 grams of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
Sentence: 200 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (August 19, 2004); amended to 262 months’ imprisonment (January 5, 2006)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on December 19, 2018, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Timothy Orlando Rainey – Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana (two counts)
Sentence: 300 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (June 21, 1995)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 235 months’ imprisonment.

Fabian Roberson – Possession with intent to distribute in excess of 50 grams of cocaine base; possession of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime
Sentence: 180 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release; $1,000 fine (April 3, 2008)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on December 19, 2018, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Sean Anthony Robinson – Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine base; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (three counts)
Sentence: 420 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (December 21, 2006); amended to 360 months’ imprisonment (November 23, 2015)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 188 months’ imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Todd Alan Scofield – Conspiracy to possess a controlled substance; possession of a firearm by a prohibited person; distribution of a controlled substance (two counts)
Sentence: 240 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (December 6, 2004)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 18, 2017.

Terence Devon Scott – Distribution of 50 grams or more of cocaine base; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime
Sentence: 180 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (February 26, 2008)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 18, 2017.

Stacia Smith – Narcotics conspiracy; use of a telephone in drug conspiracy (two counts); using/carrying a firearm in relation to a drug offense
Sentence: 252 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (October 26, 2005)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 18, 2017.

Steven Blair Speal – Conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance; possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; possession with intent to distribute marijuana; possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime; possession of a firearm by a prohibited person (two counts)
Sentence: Life plus 60 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release; $5,000 fine (October 30, 1997)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on December 19, 2018, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

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Kenneth Stover, Jr. – Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine; possess with intent to distribute cocaine; conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana; unlawful use of a communication facility (two counts); felon in possession of ammunition; use of a firearm in the commission of a drug trafficking crime
Sentence: Life imprisonment (August 27, 2003)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on December 19, 2017.

Don Thomas, Jr. – Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute narcotics (five kilograms or more of cocaine); possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime
Sentence: 300 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (May 19, 2006)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted a term of 240 months’ imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Tracy Maurice Thomas – Possession with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine base (crack); using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime (two counts); possession with intent to distribute more than five grams of cocaine base (crack)
Sentence: 437 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (July 13, 2009); amended to 420 months’ imprisonment (December 17, 2014)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 180 months’ imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Mark David Turner – Conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine; possession of pseudoephedrine (precursor chemical) knowing and having reasonable cause to believe that the pseudoephedrine would be used to manufacture five grams or more of methamphetamine (two counts); using and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking offense (two counts); possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; manufacture and possess with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine (two counts)
Sentence: 481 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (November 12, 2002)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on December 19, 2018, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Darnell L. Walker – Conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base; possession of firearm by convicted felon (two counts)
Sentence: Life imprisonment (December 26, 1995)

Jeffrey Scott Welch – Distribution of methamphetamine (two counts); possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime (two counts); unlawful possession of a firearm
Sentence: 420 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release; $5,000 fine (December 10, 1992)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on December 19, 2018 and unpaid balance of the $5,000 fine remitted at the time of his release, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

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Billy Dee Williams – Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base; using/carrying firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and aiding and abetting
Sentence: Life plus 60 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (July 11, 2006)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 228 months’ imprisonment.
Pardoned

Theresa Marie Bishop, aka Teresa Clark – Knowingly disposing of a firearm to a person convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year (three counts); falsification of firearms purchase forms (two counts)
Sentence: Three years’ probation, conditioned upon one year of home detention (December 8, 2006)

Tavia Dion Blume – Possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute; use of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking offense
Sentence: 42 months’ imprisonment; three years’ supervised release (May 21, 1999) (as amended July 12, 1999)

James Harold Keaton – Possession of a stolen firearm
Sentence: 30 months’ probation, conditioned upon 50 hours of community service (November 9, 2007)

Bryan Scot Sandquist – Felon in possession of a firearm
Sentence: 40 months’ imprisonment; three years’ supervised release (November 4, 2002)

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