WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration on Thursday commuted the prison sentences of 58 federal convicts, part of a broader push to revamp the criminal justice system and ease punishments for nonviolent drug offenders.
The people whose prison terms were cut short include 18 who were given life sentences. Most who received clemency are now due for release on September 2, though others will be released over the next two years.
The latest wave — which includes defendants convicted of dealing cocaine, crack and methamphetamine — brings to 306 the total number of inmates whose sentences Obama has commuted, the vast majority for drug crimes. The pace of commutations — along with pardons, which are less common — is expected to increase as the end of Obama's presidency nears.
The prisoners given commutations have been "granted a second chance to lead productive and law-abiding lives," said Deputy Attorney General Sally Quillian Yates.
"Our clemency work is continuing as part of our broader efforts to effectuate criminal justice reform and ensure fairness and proportionality in sentencing," Yates said.
The Justice Department revamped the clemency process two years ago to encourage more applications from federal offenders. The administration expanded the criteria for eligible inmates, soliciting petitions from inmates who were convicted of nonviolent crimes, had served at least 10 years of their sentences and had been well behaved behind bars, among other considerations.
Advocates have repeatedly expressed concerns about what they term the slow pace of that process, saying it has denied thousands of deserving good candidates a fair shot at an early release.
"I am pleased by today's news but I know that for every prisoner whose sentence the president commuted today, there are a hundred more who are equally worthy," said Mary Price, general counsel of Families Against Mandatory Minimums.
The President commuted the sentences of the following 58 individuals:
Jasmine Allen – Bunnell, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base; manage or control a residence for the purpose of unlawfully manufacturing, storing and distributing a controlled substance; distribution of five grams or more of cocaine base; Middle District of Florida
Sentence: 235 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release (November 5, 2008); amended to 188 months' imprisonment (February 29, 2016)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on September 2, 2016.Timothy Antjuan Augustus – Hampton, VA
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine base and cocaine; Eastern District of Virginia
Sentence: 210 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release (March 1, 2007)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on September 2, 2016.Shannon Lee Blake – Phoenix, AZ
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine; possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; District of Wyoming
Sentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release; $1,000 fine (July 2, 2007)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 5, 2018.Steven Bernard Boyd – Augusta, GA
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and to possess cocaine and cocaine base with intent to distribute; distribution of cocaine hydrochloride (three counts); possession of cocaine and cocaine base with intent to distribute; Southern District of Georgia
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (September 29, 1998)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on September 2, 2016.Donald Brooks – West Point, GA
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute at least five kilograms of cocaine and at least 50 grams of cocaine base; Northern District of Georgia
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (October 18, 2002)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on September 2, 2016.Eddie Brown – Washington, DC
Offense: Unlawful possession with intent to distribute 50 grams of cocaine base; District of Columbia
Sentence: Life imprisonment; (September 20, 1990)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 5, 2017.Charles C. Brown – Providence, RI
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of cocaine base, aiding and abetting; possession with intent to distribute more than five grams of cocaine base; District of Rhode Island
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (May 20, 2004)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on September 2, 2016.Aundra Coats – Cleveland, OH
Offense: Distribution of cocaine base; Northern District of Ohio
Sentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (June 21, 2005)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on September 2, 2016.Jacob George Colbert – Richmond, CA
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute in excess of 50 grams of cocaine base; District of Minnesota
Sentence: 235 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release (December 8, 2005)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 5, 2018.Dwayne Berman Cooper – Miami, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to manufacture cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; possession of cocaine with intent to manufacture cocaine base; Middle District of Florida
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (August 27, 1996)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on September 2, 2016.Marion Clarence Cooper – Miami, FL
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and aiding and abetting; District of South Carolina
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (November 12, 1996)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on September 2, 2016.Vernon Copeland – Smyrna, GA
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine; laundering of monetary instruments (three counts); Northern District of Georgia
Sentence: 360 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release (May 19, 1992)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on September 2, 2016.Wade Cutchen – Newport News, VA
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute heroin and cocaine; possession with intent to distribute heroin; Eastern District of Virginia
Sentence: 324 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release (September 15, 2000); amended to 262 months' imprisonment (May 19, 2015)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on February 2, 2017.Roberto Antonio Davila – San Antonio, TX
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana; distribution of marijuana and aiding and abetting said offense; Western District of Texas
Sentence: Life imprisonment; three years' supervised release (February 28, 1995)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on September 2, 2016.Efrem Rahoman Douglas – Knoxville, TN
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base; Eastern District of Tennessee
Sentence: 300 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (September 19, 2005)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on September 2, 2016.Thomas Farmer – Cincinnati, OH
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; Eastern District of Kentucky
Sentence: Life imprisonment; (December 7, 1995)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 5, 2017.Roy Geer – Tavanier, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to import cocaine; attempt to import cocaine; conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine; attempt to possess with intent to distribute cocaine; Southern District of Florida
Sentence: 252 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release, $8,500 fine (May 24, 2004)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on September 2, 2016.Christopher Gulley – Pensacola, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base; Northern District of Florida
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (June 12, 1996)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on September 2, 2016.Jamal Hanson – Temple Hills, MD
Offense: 1. Distribution of 50 grams or more of cocaine base; District of Columbia 2. Possession of contraband in federal prison; District of New Jersey Sentence: 1. 262 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release (August 2, 2002) 2. Eight months’ imprisonment (July 16, 2004) Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on September 2, 2016.Antonio Nicholas Hill – Taylors, SC
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base; District of South Carolina
Sentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (June 15, 2006)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on September 2, 2016.Carla Yvette Holte – Largo, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base; conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine; distribution of five grams or more of cocaine base (two counts); possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine; Middle District of Florida
Sentence: 262 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release (November 2, 2001)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 5, 2018.Corey D. Howard – Indianapolis, IN
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute in excess of five kilograms of cocaine (mixture); Southern District of Indiana
Sentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release; $2,000 fine (February 9, 2005)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on September 2, 2016.George Howard Jones – Raleigh, NC
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute cocaine base and cocaine; Eastern District of North Carolina
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (August 22, 1996)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on September 2, 2016.Joseph John Jones – Tarpon Springs, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of a mixture containing cocaine and 50 grams or more of cocaine base; Middle District of Florida
Sentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (August 6, 2007)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on September 2, 2016.Twaine Jones – Washington Park, IL
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute cocaine; possession with intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride; possession with intent to distribute marijuana; Southern District of Illinois
Sentence: 360 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release, $5,000 fine (November 6, 2000); amended to 324 months' imprisonment (October 29, 2008)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on September 2, 2016.Abbas Rauf Kareem – Daytona Beach, FL
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; Middle District of Florida
Sentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (June 12, 2008)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 5, 2018.Kenneth W. Kemp – Guttenberg, NJ
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base; distribution of cocaine base (three counts); did cause interstate travel in aid of racketeering (two counts); possession with intent to distribute cocaine; distribution of cocaine; Eastern District of Virginia
Sentence: Life imprisonment; five years' supervised release (April 11, 1994)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on September 2, 2016.Tomma Jean Kent – Des Moines, IA
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; Southern District of Iowa
Sentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (September 21, 2007)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 5, 2018.Rick Lee Lamere – Bellingham, WA
Offense: Conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute; District of Montana
Sentence: 460 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (January 13, 2005); amended to 320 months' imprisonment, 10 years' supervised release (January 11, 2007)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 5, 2018.Ohara Linear Laws – Houston, TX
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base; Southern District of Texas
Sentence: 282 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (September 19, 2003); amended to 240 months' imprisonment (May 8, 2008)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on September 2, 2016.Larry Lewis – Pensacola, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute cocaine; possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; Northern District of Florida
Sentence: 360 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release; $1,000 fine (October 20, 1999); amended to 324 months’ imprisonment (June 18, 2006); amended to 262 months' imprisonment (July 2, 2015)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 5, 2017.Trevis Love – Harriman, TN
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine; Eastern District of Tennessee
Sentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (June 27, 2005)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on September 2, 2016.Leonard Mason – Claymont, DE
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine; distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine; Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Sentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release; $2,500 fine (February 2, 2011)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on September 2, 2016.Christopher Dale Masters – Broken Bow, OK
Offense: Maintaining a place for purpose of manufacturing, distributing, and using methamphetamine; Eastern District of Oklahoma
Sentence: 240 months' imprisonment; three years' supervised release (March 10, 2005); amended to 235 months' imprisonment (February 29, 2016)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on September 2, 2016.Stanford Mathis – Valdosta, GA
Offense: Distribution of more than 50 grams of cocaine base; Middle District of Georgia
Sentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (December 18, 2003)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on September 2, 2016.Maurice Matthews – Katy, TX
Offense: Distribution of 50 grams or more of cocaine base; Eastern District of Louisiana
Sentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (April 29, 2009)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on September 2, 2016.Michael Tyree Mays – North Las Vegas, NV
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute cocaine; Central District of California
Sentence: 360 months' imprisonment; eight years' supervised release (May 13, 1999)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 5, 2018.Javier Mendoza – Pharr, TX
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine; possession with intent to distribute 1,264 kilograms of cocaine; Southern District of Texas
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (August 25, 1998)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 5, 2018.Jerome Lee Menefee – Montgomery, AL
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; Central District of California
Sentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (October 24, 2005)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on September 2, 2016.Michelle Miles – Brooklyn, NY
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine base; distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine base; Eastern District of New York
Sentence: 360 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release (March 24, 2000)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on September 2, 2016.Troy Lamar Morton – Iron Station, NC
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana; Western District of North Carolina
Sentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (November 18, 2003)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 5, 2018.Cintheia Denise Parra – Memphis, TN
Offense: Possess with intent to distribute in excess of 500 grams of methamphetamine; Northern District of Mississippi
Sentence: 235 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release (September 21, 2006); amended to 188 months' imprisonment (March 18, 2015)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on September 2, 2016.Gerardo Gilberto Rivera – Brownsville, TX
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute 11.02 kilograms of methamphetamine; Southern District of Texas
Sentence: 235 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release (June 8, 2005)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on September 2, 2016.Jessie Lee Robinson – Jefferson City, MO
Offense: Distribution of cocaine base (two counts); possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; Western District of Missouri
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (November 15, 2005)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 5, 2018.Alberto A. Rosales, Sr. – Miami, FL
Offense: Continuing criminal enterprise; importation of marijuana; attempted importation of marijuana; possession with intent to distribute heroin (three counts); Southern District of Florida
Sentence: 85 years' imprisonment; three years' special parole (March 29, 1989); amended to 70 years' imprisonment (October 28, 1992)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on September 2, 2016.Artrez Nyroby Seymour – Chicago Heights, IL
Offense: Narcotics conspiracy; Northern District of Illinois
Sentence: 300 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (September 21, 2005); amended to 240 months' imprisonment (March 3, 2016)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on September 2, 2016.Larry Simmons – Savannah, GA
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute more than 50 grams of crack cocaine; distribution of more than 5 grams of crack cocaine (two counts); Southern District of Georgia
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (April 21, 2003)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on September 2, 2016.Lavelle Span – Milwaukee, WI
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine base; distribution of cocaine base (two counts); Western District of Wisconson
Sentence: 372 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release (May 26, 1999)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on September 2, 2016.Jerome Clarence Sumral – Los Angeles, CA
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; District of Hawaii
Sentence: 20 years' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (June 20, 2005)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on September 2, 2016.Golden Sutton – Henderson, KY
Offense: Conspiracy to manufacture, possess with intent to distribute in excess of 50 grams of cocaine base; possession of cocaine with intent to distribute; Southern District of Indiana
Sentence: 300 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (October 28, 2002)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on September 2, 2016.John Herbert Talley – Chattanooga, TN
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribute cocaine base; use of a communications facility to wit: the telephone, to facilitate the commission a felony (two counts); Eastern District of Tennessee
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (December 4, 1995)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on September 2, 2016.Derrick Terry – Chicago, IL
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; Northern District of Illinois
Sentence: 262 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release (January 29, 2003)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on September 2, 2016.David Anthony Trotter – Pensacola, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base; Northern District of Florida
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (October 15, 1993)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on September 2, 2016.Jedrek W. Underwood – Houston, TX
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base and aiding and abetting; conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base; Southern District of Texas
Sentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (March 8, 2004)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on September 2, 2016.Chela H. Urbina – Boynton Beach, FL
Offense: 1. Conspiracy to import cocaine; importation of cocaine; possession with intent to distribute cocaine; possession with intent to distribute a mixture containing cocaine (Southern District of Florida) 2. Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute narcotics (Southern District of New York) Sentence: 1. 360 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (November 14, 1995) 2. 27 months’ imprisonment (concurrent); three years’ supervised release (May 1, 1997) Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on September 2, 2016.Fulton Leroy Washington – Compton, CA
Offense: Conspiracy to manufacture phencyclidine; possession of piperidinocyclohexane-carbonitrile with intent to manufacture PCP; attempt to manufacture PCP; Central District of California
Sentence: Life imprisonment; five years' supervised release (October 10, 1997)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on September 2, 2016.Bill Westcott – Candler, NC
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine; Middle District of Florida
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (December 19, 1991)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on September 2, 2016.Wayland Thomas Wilson – Dallas, TX
Offense: Conspiracy; use of a communication facility (three counts); money laundering and aiding and abetting; Northern District of Texas
Sentence: 444 months' imprisonment; three years' supervised release; $25,000 fine (November 12, 1993)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on September 2, 2016.
