Drug dealers released from prison by Obama clemency were dealing in large quantities of cocaine; many with sawed-off shotguns and armed during drug deals
News and Commentary
By Ken Rossignol
The action taken by President Obama to release drug offenders from federal prisons by either commuting their sentences or, in the case of two inmates, giving them pardons was given a critical review.
What this review revealed was that in a few cases, where prison terms were commuted, as in the case of Dwight Anthony Goddard of Milledgeville, Ga., who was freed from prison in April, the actions appeared to be justified. In other cases, examined, the convicted drug felons were dealing with multiple kilos of cocaine, were armed to the hilt with sawed-off shotguns and other weapons and one case, participated in the armed robbery of an undercover police officer.
To believe the political agenda of the Obama Administration in this affair defies logic. The entire war on drugs, from its inception to the clumsy action of the Obama clemency actions, is a predictable exercise in deception, incompetence and tomfoolery.
In the case of some police agencies, black drug dealers caught with small amounts of crack cocaine due to being stupid and greedy while peddling their wares to middle-class white buyers at open-air drug markets, have gone to prison for long terms while nothing happened to their customers.
White drug dealers nabbed with significant amounts of powder cocaine were not targeted at all. When white drug dealers were occasionally apprehended, they served short sentences. These observations of drug cases apply to St. Mary’s County, Md.
The police agency responsible for the uneven and perhaps corrupt targeting of offenders in the 1990’s and until 2006 was the St. Mary’s Sheriff’s Department. A narcotics commander during that period was found to have absconded with a significant amount of property seized from a drug dealer during a raid and then given to his family and friends. That police captain was the Assistant Sheriff, who was demoted in rank and finally resigned when threatened with being fired by the new Sheriff. However, he was never prosecuted due to his wife being the election treasurer to St. Mary’s County States Attorney Richard Fritz. An independent investigation into the theft by Capt. Steven Doolan by the Maryland State Prosecutor has never been released by St. Mary’s County Sheriff Tim Cameron. During Doolan’s tenure as a senior narcotics supervisor, a black female detective was found to have stolen thousands of dollars of drug funds. She was fired and prosecuted, but her white male supervisors were never held accountable.
Since 2006, most drug investigations have resulted in prosecutions in Federal courts instead of state courts, perhaps due to greater sentences and no parole for offenders. The racial disparity of drug dealers has balanced out with whites being targeted as well as blacks in St. Mary’s County, Md., a complete reversal of the prior twenty years.
Therefore, it is easy for this writer to believe that corruption on the part of law enforcement nationwide and racial disparity in the targeting of drug dealers has been widespread and prevalent. That doesn’t change the fact that the drug dealers in the nation are armed to the teeth, are vicious murderers and have been enriching themselves off of peddling misery to others while making drugs available to young people who are vulnerable to addiction.
The act by President Obama to release these offenders is a lawful act under the Constitution just as President Bill Clinton pardoned a campaign donor.
Meth, gang member who participated in armed robbery of undercover cop released by Obama
Billie Marie Taylor – Houston, TX
Offense: Did knowingly and willfully conspire, combine, confederate and agree together, with each other, and with other persons, to manufacture methamphetamine; did knowingly and intentionally possess a listed chemical, namely ephedrine, with intent to manufacture methamphetamine; did knowingly use and carry a firearm, namely, a 12 gauge Harrington and Richardson, Inc. shotgun, serial number AX492667, during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime for which the defendant may be prosecuted in a court of the United States, namely, conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine; did knowingly possess a firearm, namely, a 12 gauge Harrington and Richardson, Inc. shotgun, serial number AX492667, with a barrel length of less than 18 inches and a weapon made from a shotgun with an overall length of less than 26 inches, and such firearm was not registered to the defendant in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (Eastern District of Texas)
Sentence: 412 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (Feb. 28, 1992); prison sentence amended to 355 months’ imprisonment (Jul. 15, 2015)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
From 5th U. S. Court of Appeals:
During the Summer of 1991, Benton Miley (“Miley”) approached Paul Mills, the owner of a chemical supply business near Houston. Miley said that he was in possession of stolen chemicals from Mills’s warehouse and that he was unsuccessfully attempting to manufacture methamphetamine with the chemicals. Mills, who was a paid government informant, gave Miley the pager number of a person who could supply the illegal chemicals. In reality, the pager belonged to an undercover Houston narcotics officer, DiMambro.
From July 7, 1991, through July 19, 1991, Miley called the pager repeatedly. Most of their conversations were recorded and played for the jury. During these discussions, DiMambro agreed to sell Miley 55 pounds of ephedrine for $25,000.
They agreed to consummate the sale in a restaurant parking lot in Liberty, Texas on July 19, 1991.
Miley arrived at the restaurant in a pickup truck driven by his sister, Jacquelyn Miley (“Jacquelyn”), with a passenger, his girlfriend, Taylor. When DiMambro arrived at the restaurant, Miley left the pickup truck and entered the officer’s vehicle. Miley was carrying a briefcase, presumably containing the purchase money.
However, Miley opened the briefcase and produced a sawed-off shotgun and a bottle of nitric acid threatening DiMambro with both.
Taylor immediately entered the officer’s car, removed the container of ephedrine, and placed it in the bed of the pickup truck. Miley then put the shotgun and the acid back in the briefcase, and Taylor returned the briefcase to the pickup truck. Eventually, the surveillance officers began approaching, and DiMambro fled his vehicle. Miley, Jacquelyn, and Taylor were arrested.
The following is an outline of the evidence presented by the government that clearly established a conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine among Miley, Taylor, and/or unknown others:
(1) In his initial contact with Mills, Miley told him that he knew who had burglarized his warehouse, that he had bought phenylacetic acid from the burglars, and that he was “cooking it” without success;
(2) During one of Miley’s discussions with Mills about the manufacture of methamphetamine, Taylor was with him.
(3) Mills told Miley that the pager number he gave Miley belonged to a person who could furnish him with chemicals;
(4) In Miley’s first conversation with DiMambro, he told DiMambro that he other unnamed persons were attempting to make methamphetamine;
(5) In a conversation with DiMambro, who returned Miley’s page, Miley told DiMambro he would be willing to exchange methamphetamine for a gallon of methylamine 40%. Subsequently, Miley told DiMambro that he could not do the transaction as an exchange because the people with whom he was working would not agree;
(6) In another conversation with DiMambro, Miley told him that he wanted ephedrine “to go into a venture with his people from California for the manufacture of methamphetamine.” Miley responded to DiMambro’s questions regarding problems in the manufacturing process by stating that he felt “these other people were doing [something] wrong,” and “we just can’t get it to go, and I’ve lost a lot of money.”
(7) In several taped conversations where the transaction to sell ephedrine was being set up, Miley revealed that more people were involved in the conspiracy.
- a) On July 17, 1991, Miley told DiMambro that his “people from out in California” were in town and that there would not be a problem with the asking price for the ephedrine. Miley also said that the “California people” had everything they needed, except the ephedrine. Miley also bragged that the group manufactured seven pounds of methamphetamine per day.
- b) During the morning of July 18, 1991, Miley and DiMambro briefly discussed the anticipated sale of ephedrine, and then Miley again spoke about his failed manufacturing attempts. He told DiMambro that he obtained a thermometer from Mills and that he had four or five people “look at it with him” to see if he could produce methamphetamine.
- c) When Miley and DiMambro agreed to meet in a parking lot in Liberty, Texas, Miley said that he would probably be bringing a guy from California because “it’s his money.” Miley explained that his man could confirm the authenticity of the chemical, and then Miley would hand over the money to DiMambro.
- d) DiMambro recorded another conversation confirming the time for the exchange. Miley said he would bring a couple of girls instead of the man from California because he needed someone to “cover his back.”
- e) On the day of the sale, Miley arrived at the restaurant with Jacquelyn and Taylor. DiMambro was wearing a body recording device and was monitored throughout the transaction by other agents. DiMambro asked to see the money, and Miley took the briefcase from Taylor and exited the truck. Upon entering DiMambro’s car, Miley pulled out of the briefcase a shotgun and held it on DiMambro while the women moved the chemicals from the car to the truck. Taylor then retrieved the briefcase from Miley while Jacquelyn held a revolver on DiMambro.
- f) Taylor’s purse contained a recipe for manufacturing methamphetamine. Her fingerprints were also found on another recipe for methamphetamine found at Miley’s niece’s house.
The elements for a violation of Title 26, U.S.C. § 5861(d) are the knowing possession of a sawed-off shotgun that has not been registered as required. United States v. Anderson, 885 F.2d 1248
(5th Cir. 1989).
To obtain a conviction for using a firearm in a drug trafficking crime, the jury had to find that the defendant, during or in relationship to a drug trafficking crime, used or carried a firearm. United States v. Oinck, 889 F.2d 1425, 1431 (5th Cir. 1989).
While sitting in DiMambro’s vehicle, Miley opened his briefcase, removed the firearm and pointed it at DiMambro. Taylor then retrieved the ephedrine from the back seat, and Miley returned the firearm to the briefcase. Subsequently, Taylor retrieved the briefcase. Clearly the weapon was used in the course of a drug offense. Taylor claims that there is no evidence that she saw the gun, and thereafter, knew that it had been returned to the briefcase. We agree with the government that when she retrieved the briefcase, it was reasonable to conclude that she knew the firearm was in the briefcase because it was plainly visible while Miley held it on DiMambro but no longer visible when she retrieved the briefcase. However, the government also correctly points to Pinkerton to hold her liable for the firearm offenses committed in furtherance of the drug conspiracy.
“There is a lot of blood on his hands in this community…”
– Jefferson County Sheriff Mike Hale
Tommie Sand Tyree “Tommy Foo” – Birmingham, AL
Offense: Distribution of 50 grams or more of “crack” cocaine (Northern District of Alabama)
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 96 months’ supervised release (Feb. 7, 2007)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
From Jefferson County, Alabama Sheriff’s Office: Major Drug Dealer Convicted Birmingham, Alabama – 51-year-old Tommie Sand Tyree, AKA “Tommie FOO” from the Southwest area of Birmingham arrested earlier this year by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Vice Unit and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office DEA Task Force members, was found guilty yesterday in Federal Court for Distribution of “Crack” Cocaine.
Tyree, a major drug dealer in the Birmingham area with Drug Trafficking arrest dating back to 1989, is now facing a Mandatory “Life Without Parole” sentence in Federal Court. This arrest and conviction of a very dangerous Drug Dealer were the results of a long-term investigation by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Vice Units and DEA Task Force members that began in early 2004.
“This is great work by our Vice and Narcotics Unit and Task Force members. It has taken an extensive effort to put this guy away forever. There is a lot of blood on his hands in this community but now that is over for him, and he will have a long time to think about what a negative impact he had on Birmingham, Alabama” stated Sheriff Mike Hale.
Drug Dealer’s Conviction Upheld by United States Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, V. TOMMIE SAND TYREE, A.K.A. TOMMIE FOO, DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.
- 07-10645 NON-ARGUMENT CALENDAR.
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS, ELEVENTH CIRCUIT.
APRIL 11, 2008
SUMMARY:
Tyree’s argument is without merit. If a violation of section 841(a) involves 50 grams or more of cocaine base, and the person commits the violation “after two or more prior convictions for a felony drug offense have become final, such person shall be sentenced to a mandatory term of life imprisonment.” 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(A). By the plain language of the statute, no time limitation applies to the felonies that trigger the enhanced sentencing provision. United States v. Hudacek, 24 F.3d 143, 146 (11th Cir. 1994). That Rule 609(b) includes a time limitation on the use of prior convictions for impeachment purposes has no bearing on the statutory enhancement in section 841(b)(1)(A).
We now address Tyree’s sentencing argument that his life sentence is greater than necessary to promote the goals of sentencing contained in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a)(2) because of the penalty disparity between powder cocaine and cocaine base. After United States v. Booker, 543 U.S. 220, 125 S.Ct. 738, 160 L.Ed.2d 621 (2005), we review sentences for reasonableness in the light of the section 3553(a) factors. United States v. Winingear, 422 F.3d 1241, 1244-46 (11th Cir. 2005). But, even after Booker, a district court has no discretion to sentence below a statutory mandatory minimum sentence. United States v. Brehm, 442 F.3d 1291, 1300 (11th Cir.), cert. denied, ___ U.S. ___, 127 S.Ct. 457, 166 L.Ed.2d 325 (2006) (explaining that district court did not err when it determined that Booker did not give it the discretion to grant relief from the mandatory minimum sentence).
Here, the government filed a sentencing enhancement pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 851 based on Tyree’s two prior felony drug convictions. Thus, Tyree was subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of life imprisonment. See 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(A). So, the penalty disparity between powder cocaine and cocaine base had no bearing on Tyree’s sentence because the sentence was not the product of a Guidelines calculation or statutory drug quantity of cocaine base, but instead, was mandated by statute based on his prior drug convictions. See United States v. Raad, 406 F.3d 1322, 1323 n. 1 (11th Cir. 2005) (when a district court correctly imposed the statutory mandatory minimum sentence, an error in the Guidelines calculation is harmless, and we need not address an argument about the calculation). And the district court committed no error because it had no discretion to sentence Tyree below the mandatory minimum of life imprisonment. See Brehm, 442 F.3d at 1300.
Accordingly, we affirm Tyree’s conviction and sentence.
AFFIRMED.
Member of armed drug gang from the Dominican Republic with “arsenal of weapons” set loose by Obama
Alex Contreras – Anchorage, AK
Offense: Drug conspiracy; distribution of a controlled substance (four counts); possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance (four counts); using, carrying, possessing firearm during drug trafficking crime (three counts) (District of Alaska)
Sentence: 481 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (Jul. 11, 2002); prison sentence amended to 480 months’ imprisonment (May 27, 2008)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
From Express-News, Anchorage, Alaska:
Included is Alex Contreras, who was 19 in 2002 when he was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Anchorage to 40 years in prison.
He was part of a group of eight young men, mostly from the Dominican Republic, who were convicted of operating a crack cocaine ring valued at $500,000 in Anchorage. They had an arsenal of weapons to protect the drugs.
Contreras received the most jail time even though he had no criminal history.
Drug dealer who had nearly two kilos of cocaine sprung from prison by Obama
Eric Desmond Thomas – Houston, TX
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine; possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (Southern District of Texas)
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release; $20,000 fine (Sep. 26, 1996)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016, and balance of the fine remitted.
From Federal Court records:
On September 19, 1995, a confidential informant (“CI”) notified Officer Terry Bryant of the Houston police department that a man named Tommy Lee wanted to sell the CI two kilograms of crack cocaine. Officer Bryant’s plan was to reject the crack cocaine when he received it and to claim that he wanted powder cocaine. This ruse would enable the police to arrest persons in the delivery car because the original offering of crack cocaine would be returned to their possession.
Working undercover, Officer Bryant arranged a meeting with Tommy Lee at a restaurant at 9:00 p.m. that night. The CI drove with Officer Bryant to the restaurant and, once there, introduced Bryant to Tommy Lee. Tommy Lee borrowed Officer Bryant’s cell phone and placed two calls to an unidentified person to arrange for the delivery of the cocaine to the restaurant. Shortly after that, Tommy Lee pointed out a royal blue Ford Taurus, driven by an unidentified black male, as the automobile pulled into the restaurant parking lot. Tommy Lee entered the Ford Taurus and retrieved a shoe box containing what appeared to be crack cocaine for Officer Bryant. Following through on his plan, Officer Bryant rejected the crack, claiming that the deal was for powder cocaine. Tommy Lee returned the shoe box and its contents to the Taurus and the Taurus drove off.
Officer Bryant advised surveillance officers via radio that the cocaine was in the royal blue Ford Taurus. Police officers in the vicinity of the restaurant spotted the Taurus and a chase ensued. The driver tossed the shoe box out of the window. Officers took custody of the box and its contents. Laboratory results of the contraband revealed that it contained 1.8 kilograms of cocaine base at 69.1% purity, which had a street value of approximately $100,000 per kilogram.
As the crack cocaine was recovered, other officers pursued the Taurus and arrested Thomas, the driver, when the chase ended. Thomas had cellophane bags on his person, as well as a cellular telephone, an extra phone battery, and a set of keys in the vehicle. The telephone number of the cellular phone matched the number recorded on the officer’s cellular phone, which Tommy Lee had borrowed to call the “unidentified person.”
On October 30, 1995, a grand jury in Houston, Texas returned a two-count indictment, charging defendant Thomas with conspiracy to possess crack cocaine with intent to distribute in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a) (1), (b) (1) (A) (iii) and possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a) (1), (b) (1) (A) (iii). Thomas pled not guilty. His case proceeded to trial. His first jury trial deadlocked and ended in a mistrial. At a second jury trial held on April 14, 1996, Thomas was found guilty on both counts. Because of his two prior felony drug convictions, Thomas received mandatory life imprisonment under 21 U.S.C. § 841(b) (1) (A).
Drug dealer with small amount of crack and sent to prison for 20 years was freed by Obama in April of 2015
From Macon Telegraph:
The case started when a drug task force agent told a Baldwin County deputy that he’d gotten a tip about Dwight Anthony Goddard selling crack cocaine from a brown paper sack out of an Oldsmobile. The deputy found Goddard at a car wash on Harrisburg Road outside Milledgeville.
The Oldsmobile wasn’t there, but Goddard got up from a chair holding a tire iron. The deputy told him the tire iron wasn’t needed and put it down, then said he was going to search Goddard. He asked Goddard if he had any drugs, and Goddard said he had some in a pocket.
Inside were 93 crack cocaine rocks, individually packaged. They were later estimated at 10 grams, or about a third of an ounce.
Goddard, who then listed a Decatur apartment as his home, was arrested. His case landed in federal court in Macon. One of his court filings, written with careful handwriting that might not have been his, said he doesn’t know why his case didn’t go through the state courts.
But Goddard pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, on the condition that he be allowed to fight the evidence against him, saying it should have been suppressed as part of an improper search. He drew a 235-month sentence or nearly 20 years.
Goddard fought the evidence over and over but lost time and time again. When the laws changed to reduce the sentencing disparity between crack cocaine and powder cocaine, he tried to fight to have the new sentencing guidelines applied retroactively to his case.
U.S. District Judge C. Ashley Royal ruled in February 2013 that Goddard’s sentence was based on sentencing guidelines for career offenders. State court records showed he’d had been convicted of a cocaine charge in Baldwin County in 1994, and cocaine and marijuana charges in Bartow County in 1992. A federal appeals court ruled in 2013 that Goddard’s career offender status would keep him in prison. Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected his appeal. Read more here:
From United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals on issue of sentencing disparity between crack and powdered cocaine:
In the case of Donel Marcus Clark who had his sentenced commuted by Obama on April 1, 2015:
A. Sufficiency of the Evidence
1. Appellant Clark:
Clark claims the evidence was insufficient to support his convictions on Count 1 (conspiracy), Count 25 (telephone count), and Count 26 (school-yard count). On the conspiracy count, the evidence against Clark included: (1) his weighing and packaging crack cocaine; (2) marijuana sales to Clark; and (3) Clark’s “cooking” of crack cocaine with Wayland Wilson.
On the telephone count, Clark contends that the entire conversation on which this count is based is about staples which can relate to and be used for any purpose. The government counters that the jury could have reasonably concluded that the staples to be purchased and the packaging discussed related to crack cocaine even though the conversation did not expressly refer to the controlled substance.
On the school-yard count, Clark contends that there was no evidence that he was present at any time at Levels’ house, a residence within 1000 feet of a school. The government responds that (1) in a telephone conversation between Clark and Levels, Clark agreed to go to Level’s house to effect a drug transaction; and (2) Clark aided and abetted the commission of drug offenses at Levels’ residence.
After viewing the evidence presented and all inferences that may reasonably be drawn from it in the light most favorable to the government, we hold that a reasonably-minded jury could have found Clark guilty of these offenses beyond a reasonable doubt. See United States v. Triplett, 922 F.2d 1174, 1177 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 500 U.S. 945, 111 S.Ct. 2245, 114 L.Ed.2d 486 (1991). – See more at:
4. Constitutionality of Sentencing Provisions:
Clark, Levels, and Wayland Wilson argue that the relevant sentencing provisions are unconstitutional due to the disparity in sentencing between crack cocaine and powder cocaine, in violation of the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment. However, this court has rejected such a challenge. Fisher, 22 F.3d at 579-80 (“The impact of crack cocaine is devastating; Congress’ decision to punish more severely those who traffic in it is well warranted.”).- See more at:
Wendell Edward Betancourt – Washington, D.C.
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute “crack” cocaine (Northern District of West Virginia)
Sentence: 220 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (Jun. 11, 2002)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Donald Allen – Lynn Haven, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; possession of a firearm during a felony drug offense (Northern District of Florida)
Sentence: Life plus five years’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (Aug. 17, 1998)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Royal Deandre Allen – Houston, TX
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (Southern District of Texas)
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release; $17,500 fine (May 13, 1996)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016, and balance of the fine remitted.
Sandra Avery – Sarasota, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine base; possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base (three counts); possess with the intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine; possess with the intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine base (Middle District of Florida)
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (Jan. 3, 2007)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Jose Aviles – Chicago, IL
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine (Middle District of Florida)
Sentence: Life imprisonment (Apr. 23, 1993)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on December 18, 2016.
George Andre Axam – Atlanta, GA
Offense: Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (Northern District of Georgia)
Sentence: 180 months’ imprisonment; four years’ supervised release (Jun. 12, 2007)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Ray Bennett – Hazlehurst, GA
Offense: Knowingly conspiring to distribute cocaine base (commonly known as “crack”); knowingly possessing with intent to distribute and causing to be possessed with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine base (commonly known as “crack”) (Middle District of Florida)
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (Nov. 22, 1991)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Wendell Edward Betancourt – Washington, D.C.
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute “crack” cocaine (Northern District of West Virginia)
Sentence: 220 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (Jun. 11, 2002)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Edward B. Betts – Carbondale, IL
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana (Southern District of Illinois)
Sentence: 360 months’ imprisonment; eight years’ supervised release (Jul. 27, 1992)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016, and eight-year term of supervised release commuted to two years of supervised release.
Anthony Bosley – Spokane, WA
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base (Eastern District of Washington)
Sentence: 240 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (Jun. 13, 2006)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Ramona Brant – Freeport, NY
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute a quantity of cocaine and cocaine base (Western District of North Carolina)
Sentence: Life imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (Feb. 2, 1995)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Ivory Charles Brinson – Wabasso, FL
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of cocaine base (Southern District of Florida)
Sentence: 360 months’ imprisonment; eight years’ supervised release (Nov. 15, 2004)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Carolyn Yvonne Butler – San Antonio, TX
Offense: Armed bank robbery (three counts); using a firearm during a crime of violence (three counts) (Western District of Texas
Sentence: 48 years’ imprisonment; three years’ supervised release; $1,200 fine; $3,339 restitution (Jul. 30, 1992)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Arnold Charles Cabarris – Victoria, VA
Offense: Distribution of cocaine base; conspiracy to distribute cocaine base (Eastern District of Virginia)
Sentence: 262 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (Feb. 19, 1999)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Jimmy Lee Carter – Okeechobee, FL
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (Southern District of Florida)
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (Jul. 21, 1993)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Sherman Dionne Chester – St. Petersburg, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine; conspiracy to possess and distribute heroin; distribution of cocaine (six counts); distribution of heroin (five counts); possession with intent to distribute cocaine (Middle District of Florida)
Sentence: Life imprisonment (Feb. 11, 1994)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on December 18, 2016.
Herbert Lee Christopher, Jr. – Cordele, GA
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base (Middle District of Florida)
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (Oct. 4, 1991)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Jawariel Coffie – Hollywood, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base (Northern District of Florida)
Sentence: Life imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (Oct. 5, 1993)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Michael Reese Coffman – Milton, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine (Northern District of Florida)
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (Jul. 21, 2005)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Oscar Cole, Jr. – Bessemer, AL
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute fifty (50) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing cocaine base and cocaine hydrochloride (Northern District of Alabama)
Sentence: 240 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (Sep. 21, 2006)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Eddie Lee Cooks – Monroe, LA
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine base; distribution of cocaine base (three counts) (Western District of Louisiana)
Sentence: Life imprisonment (May 24, 1994)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on December 18, 2016.
Lelus Crawford – St. Louis, MO
Offense: Distribution of cocaine base (“crack”) (two counts); possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack”) (Eastern District of Missouri)
Sentence: 240 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (Jun. 15, 2007)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Dewayne Crompton – Bakersfield, CA
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (Western District of Wisconsin)
Sentence: Life imprisonment (May 28, 1993)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on December 18, 2016.
Charles Frederick Cundiff – Altoona, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana; attempt to possess with intent to distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana (Northern District of Florida)
Sentence: Life imprisonment (Jan. 8, 1992)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on December 18, 2016.
Thomas Daniels – Philadelphia, PA
Offense: Distribution of cocaine; distribution of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”) (Eastern District of Pennsylvania)
Sentence: Life imprisonment (Jun. 26, 1996)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on December 18, 2016.
Joe Nathan Darby – Salters, SC
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute and distribution of five grams or more of crack cocaine (two counts); possession with intent to distribute and distribution of 50 grams or more of crack cocaine (District of South Carolina)
Sentence: 240 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (May 25, 2006)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Alphonso Davis – Ridgeway, SC
Offense: Conspiracy to violate narcotic laws (crack) (Western District of North Carolina)
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (Feb. 12, 1996)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence to expire on April 16, 2016.
William Ervin Dekle – Lake City, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to import 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana; conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana; importation of 100 kilograms of marijuana (four counts); possession with intent to distribute 100 kilograms of marijuana (four counts) (Northern District of Florida)
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release; four years’ special parole (Jun. 7, 1991)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Dianne Demar — St. Petersburg, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute in excess of 100 grams of methamphetamine; possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine (two counts); unlawful manufacturing of methamphetamine (two counts); possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime (Northern District of Georgia)
Sentence: Life plus five years’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (Dec. 13, 1991)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Eric T. Downs – Mansfield, OH
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (Northern District of Ohio)
Sentence: Life imprisonment (July 18, 1996)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on December 18, 2016.
Ernest R. Eads – Seneca, MO
Offense: 1. Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine (Western District of Missouri
- Felon in possession of firearms (Western District of Missouri)
Sentence: 1. Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (Mar. 7, 1997)
- 12 months’ imprisonment (consecutive) (Mar. 7, 1997)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentences commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Reginald Gerard Ennis – Mobile, AL
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine (Southern District of Alabama)
Sentence: 240 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (Apr. 22, 2004)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Jimmy Lee Fields – Dundee, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base (Middle District of Florida)
Sentence: Life imprisonment (Jan. 16, 1996)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on December 18, 2016.
Pedro Figueroa – Philadelphia, PA
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute controlled substance; distribution of controlled substance, aiding and abetting (three counts); possession of controlled substance with intent to distribute, aiding and abetting (Eastern District of Pennsylvania)
Sentence: 240 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release; $1,000 fine (Jul. 15, 2003)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Donald Lee Gill – Cincinnati, OH
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine; possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and aiding and abetting; carrying firearm during a drug trafficking crime (Eastern District of Kentucky)
Sentence: Life imprisonment (Aug. 20, 1997)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on December 18, 2016.
Calvin C. Gillings – Chicago, IL
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, “crack”; possession with intent to distribute cocaine (Southern District of Iowa)
Sentence: 360 months’ imprisonment; eight years’ supervised release (Jul. 18, 1997)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Glenn D. Gold – Clarksville, TN
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base; use of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime; felon in possession of a firearm (Middle District of Tennessee)
Sentence: Life plus 60 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (Apr. 23, 1997)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Alberto Gonzalez – Philadelphia, PA
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine; distribution of 1,003 grams of cocaine (Eastern District of Pennsylvania)
Sentence: 262 months’ imprisonment; eight years’ supervised release (May 19, 2003)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Willie James Griffin, Jr. – Pensacola, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute cocaine (Northern District of Florida)
Sentence: 252 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release; $1,000 fine (Dec. 2, 1999); prison sentence amended to 240 months’ imprisonment (Apr. 14, 2008)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016, and balance of the fine remitted.
Doyle Grimes, Jr. – Miami, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute a detectable amount of cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of cocaine base (Middle District of Florida)
Sentence: 292 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (Apr. 8, 2003); prison sentence amended to 240 months’ imprisonment (Dec. 5, 2014)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Kenneth Hamlin, Jr. – Pittsburgh, PA
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of in excess of 50 grams of cocaine base, in excess of 100 grams of heroin, and a quantity of marijuana; possession with intent to distribute and distribution of in excess of 100 grams of heroin
(Western District of Pennsylvania)
Sentence: 360 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (Mar. 4, 1999)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Glenn A. Harris – Elizabeth City, NC
Offense: Distribution of more than five grams of cocaine base (crack) (Eastern District North Carolina)
Sentence: 188 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release; $2,100 restitution (Aug. 8, 2005)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016, and balance of the restitution obligation remitted.
Lisa Harris – Arcadia, FL
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute fifty grams or more of cocaine base, crack cocaine; conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five grams or more of cocaine base, crack cocaine (Middle District of Florida)
Sentence: 235 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (Nov. 30, 2005)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Antorrian Adrionne Hawkins – Lilburn, GA
Offense: Felon in possession of a firearm; possession with intent to distribute cocaine; possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime (Eastern District of Michigan)
Sentence: 300 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (Apr. 12, 2005)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Eugene L. Haywood – Peoria, IL
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine base (crack); possession of cocaine base (crack) (Central District of Illinois)
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (Jul. 12, 2002)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Jerome A. Jackson – Washington, DC
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base: unlawful distribution of cocaine base (two counts) (District of Columbia)
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (Feb. 18, 1994)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Gloria Louise James – Fort Madison, IA
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine (Southern District of Iowa)
Sentence: 188 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (Feb. 9, 2004)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Angie Jenkins – Klamath Falls, OR
Offense: Conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine; manufacture of methamphetamine; possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine (District of Oregon)
Sentence: 360 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (Sep. 22, 1998); prison sentence amended to 324 months’ imprisonment (Jan. 29, 2015)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Allen Johnson – Live Oak, FL
Offense: Distribution of five grams or more of cocaine base (Middle District of Florida)
Sentence: 188 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (Oct. 3, 2003)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Javon Tyrone Johnson – Saginaw, MI
Offense: Distribution of 50 grams or more of cocaine base (Eastern District of Michigan)
Sentence: 240 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (Sep. 30, 2004)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Mario Alonzo Johnson – Stockton, CA
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine (Eastern District of California)
Sentence: 288 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (Jan. 20, 1999)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence to expire on April 16, 2016.
Tommy Lynn Johnson – Athens, TX
Offense: Conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and possess with intent to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine; conspiracy to possess a listed chemical knowing it will be used to manufacture a controlled substance; possession of a listed chemical with intent to manufacture a controlled substance (two counts); possession and distribution of a listed chemical with intent to manufacture a controlled substance (two counts); use, carrying and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime (two counts); possession of an unregistered firearm (Eastern District of Texas)
Sentence: 511 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (Jul. 21, 2003); prison sentence amended to 481 months’ imprisonment (Oct. 6, 2015)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Sharanda Purlette Jones – Terrell, TX
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine base (Northern District of Texas)
Sentence: Life imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (Nov. 10, 1999)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Ryan O’Neil Lansdowne – Haymarket, VA
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base (Eastern District of Virginia)
Sentence: 292 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (Oct. 20, 2000); prison sentence amended to 262 months’ imprisonment (Apr. 28, 2009)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Chad Robert Latham – Tacoma, WA
Offense: Conspiracy to manufacture marijuana; manufacturing marijuana (Western District of Washington)
Sentence: 180 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (Jan. 18, 2006)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Jimmy Ewell Lee – Bonifay, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine (actual) and more than 500 grams of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine (Northern District of Florida)
Sentence: 240 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (May 4, 2005)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Carlos Lopez – Lawrence, MA
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine base; distribution of cocaine base (four counts); possess and carry a firearm during a drug crime; possession of firearm by a prohibited person; possession of firearm with an obliterated serial number (District of New Hampshire)
Sentence: 300 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (May 14, 2003)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Kevin McDonald – Lawrenceville, NJ
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine base “crack” (Eastern District of Virginia)
Sentence: Life imprisonment (Oct. 17, 2005)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on December 18, 2016.
Terry Dennard McNeair – Lexington, NC
Offense: Possess with intent to distribute cocaine base (crack) (Middle District of North Carolina)
Sentence: 360 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (Nov. 18, 1996)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Michael McRae – Wadesboro, NC
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base (Western District of North Carolina)
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (May 22, 2006)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Juan Fernando Mendoza-Cardenas – Houston, TX
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana (Northern District of Georgia)
Sentence: 240 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (Jan. 28, 2004)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Billy R. Mercer, Jr. – Slapout, AL
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; use/carry firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime (Middle District of Alabama)
Sentence: 292 months’ imprisonment; 72 months’ supervised release (May 24, 2006)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Alton D. Mills – Chicago, IL
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine base and cocaine and conspiracy to use communication facilities in the commission of drug trafficking offenses; use of communication facility to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base (two counts); possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (Northern District of Illinois)
Sentence: Life imprisonment; (July 14, 1994)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on December 18, 2016.
Alphonso Ravon Morrison – Lincolnton, NC
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute, a quantity of cocaine and cocaine base (Western District of North Carolina)
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (May 7, 2001)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Matthew Murphy, III – Moreno Valley, CA
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute in excess of five kilograms of cocaine (Western District of Pennsylvania)
Sentence: 360 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (Nov. 13, 1997)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Darnell Jamar Nash – Ardmore, OK
Offense: Drug Conspiracy (Eastern District of Oklahoma)
Sentence: 264 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (Mar. 18, 2004)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016, and a 10-year term of supervised release commuted to three years of supervised release.
Eric L. Orington – Danville, IL
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of (crack) cocaine (Central District of Illinois)
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release; $2,000 fine (Sep. 1, 1995)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Lynette Owens – Lehigh Acres, FL
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute five or more grams of cocaine base, “crack cocaine” (Middle District of Florida)
Sentence: 188 months’ imprisonment; four years’ supervised release (Jan. 22, 2007)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
David Padilla – Philadelphia, PA
Offense: Conspiracy; possession with intent to distribute cocaine; carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime (Eastern District of Pennsylvania)
Sentence: Life imprisonment plus 60 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (Nov. 18, 1997)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
LaShawn D. Patton – Cahokia, IL
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine and cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute cocaine; felon in possession of firearm; possession of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime (Southern District of Illinois)
Sentence: 180 months’ imprisonment; eight years’ supervised release (Feb. 24, 2006)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016, and eight-year term of supervised release commuted to four years of supervised release.
Donald Lamont Postell – Miami, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms of cocaine (Western District of North Carolina)
Sentence: 600 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release; $20,000 fine (Feb. 1, 1989)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016, and balance of the fine remitted.
Lalanda Price – Wellington, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of cocaine base (Northern District of Florida)
Sentence: 240 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (Nov. 29, 2004)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Lamar Roberson – Savannah, GA
Offense: Conspiracy; distribution of cocaine (two counts) (Southern District of Georgia)
Sentence: Life imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (Dec. 6, 1991)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Kenneth Cordell Robinson – Houston, TX
Offense: Distribution of cocaine base (Southern District of Texas)
Sentence: 262 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release; $5,000 fine (Apr. 21, 2000)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Amador Rodriguez – Chicago, IL
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine (Northern District of Illinois)
Sentence: Life imprisonment; $25,000 fine (Apr. 24, 1991)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on December 18, 2016.
Felix Roman, Jr. – Reading, PA
Offense: Possession of five grams or more of cocaine base “crack” with the intent to distribute; possession of marijuana with intent to distribute (Eastern District of Pennsylvania)
Sentence: 262 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (Apr. 15, 2003)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Angel Sanchez – Atlantic Beach, FL
Offense: Possession with intent to deliver five or more grams of cocaine (crack); possession of a firearm during or in relation to a drug trafficking crime; felon in possession of a firearm (Eastern District of Pennsylvania)
Sentence: 240 months’ imprisonment; eight years’ supervised release; $1,000 fine (Mar. 13, 2006)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016, and balance of the fine remitted.
Timothy Bernard Sanchious – Richmond, VA
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, to wit: “crack” (Eastern District of Virginia)
Sentence: 204 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (Dec. 16, 2004)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Michael Santoyo – Saginaw, MI
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine; possession with intent to distribute cocaine (three counts) (Eastern District of Michigan)
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 20 years’ supervised release; $80,000 fine (May 24, 1993)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Wilbert L. Shoemaker – Tallulah, LA
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base and marijuana (Western District of Louisiana)
Sentence: 240 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (Feb. 2, 2004)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Marcus Stovall – Etowah, TN
Offense: Possession of cocaine base with intent to distribute (Eastern District of Tennessee)
Sentence: 240 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (Oct. 21, 2002)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Daron Benjamin Swygert – Gaston, SC
Offense: Possessing with intent to distribute cocaine base (District of South Carolina)
Sentence: 240 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (Apr. 13, 2001)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Raymond Allen Thomas – Fairbanks, AK
Offense: Possession of controlled substance with intent to distribute (District of Alaska)
Sentence: 265 months’ imprisonment; eight years’ supervised release (Feb. 7, 2005); prison sentence amended to 216 months’ imprisonment (Mar. 4, 2015)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Bruce Lamar Thompson – Dalton, GA
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute in excess of 500 grams of methamphetamine after sustaining a prior felony drug conviction (Northern District of Georgia)
Sentence: 240 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (Jul. 30, 2004)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Keith Demond Thompson – Eastpointe, MI
Offense: Distribution of five grams of more of cocaine base (two counts) (Eastern District of Michigan)
Sentence: 188 months’ imprisonment; eight years’ supervised release (May 24, 2006)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Otis Lee Thompson, Jr. – Houston, TX
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of cocaine base; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; possession with intent to distribute codeine (Southern District of Texas)
Sentence: 195 months’ imprisonment; eight years’ supervised release (Dec. 6, 2005); prison sentence amended to 180 months’ imprisonment (May 20, 2008)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Charles Lee Torian – South Boston, VA
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of cocaine base; possess with intent to distribute more than five grams of cocaine base (two counts); possess with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of cocaine base (Western District of Virginia)
Sentence: 300 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (Apr. 19, 2002)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Maurice Junior Turpin – Lynchburg, VA
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base (Western District of Virginia)
Sentence: 240 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release; $500.00 fine (Jul. 19, 2007)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Alfonzo Samuel Wallace – Lake Worth, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine base; possession of cocaine base with intent to distribute, distribution and manufacturing of cocaine base (three counts); possession of cocaine (Southern District of Florida)
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (Oct. 23, 1997)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
John Thomas Watters – Midlothian, TX
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substance (two counts); maintaining drug-involved premises; felon in possession of firearms (Northern District of Oklahoma)
Sentence: 240 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (May 26, 2006) Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Monica Ann White – Rock Island, IL
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine base (“crack”); possess with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack”); distribute cocaine base (“crack”) (Southern District of Iowa)
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (Nov. 17, 1998)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
Shelton L. Williams – Galveston, TX
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of crack cocaine; possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of crack cocaine (Southern District of Texas)
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (May 1, 1997)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on April 16, 2016.
The President granted pardons to the following two individuals:
Jon Dylan Girard – Centerville, OH
Offense: Making counterfeit obligations (Southern District of Ohio)
Sentence: Three years’ probation, with the special condition of six months’ home confinement (Nov. 7, 2002).
Woman convicted of check-kiting scheme pardoned by Obama
Melody Eileen Homa, fka Melody Eileen Childress – New Kent, VA
Offense: Aiding and abetting bank fraud (Eastern District of Virginia)
Sentence: Thirty days’ home detention; three years’ supervised release conditioned on performance of 200 hours of community service (Dec. 16, 1991).
From Richmond Times-Dispatch:
According to news accounts at the time, she was accused of running a check-kiting scheme at Sovran Mortgage Corp.
Her arrest was part of a roundup of dozens of residents, including many former bank employees. The crackdown was a joint effort by the FBI, the Internal Revenue Service, the Secret Service and participating financial institutions aimed at bank fraud and similar crimes previously considered too small to warrant federal prosecutions.
