Biden grants clemency to 16 people convicted of nonviolent drug offenses
President Biden granted clemency Wednesday to 16 people who were convinced of nonviolent drug offenses, arguing the pardons and commutations reflect his commitment to address racial disparities.
The president pardoned 11 individuals and commuted the sentences of five others, noting many of them received “disproportionately longer sentences” than they would have under current practice.
He added that the pardon recipients “demonstrated their commitment to improving their lives and positively transforming their communities” and the commutation recipients showed they deserve “forgiveness and the chance at building a brighter future for themselves beyond prison walls.”
Biden is pardoning Jason Hernandez, of McKinney, Texas, a 47-year-old who was convicted of several nonviolent drug offenses. Former President Obama commuted his sentence in 2013, and he now runs a nonprofit that turned the store he used to sell drugs in front of to a market that sells affordable quality food.
He is also pardoning Beverly Holcy, of Palatka, Fla., a 59-year-old who pleaded guilty to nonviolent drug offense she committed at 27 and now volunteers at a church and is fully employed.
Other pardon recipients include 58-year-old Jeffrey Alan Lewis from Douglasville, Ga., who pleaded guilty of a nonviolent drug offense at 40 and is now consistently employed, and 50-year-old Bobby Darrell Lowery of Jackson, Miss., who was convicted of a nonviolent drug offense at 25 and now has steady employment.
Washington, D.C., woman Katrina Polk, 54, who pleaded guilty to nonviolent drug offense at 18 and has earned her Ph.D. in public policy and administration since her release, and Columbia S.C., man, Ricky Donnell Tyler, 54, who was convicted of nonviolent drug offenses at 26 and has worked a truck driver since his release, are also being pardoned.
“Like my other clemency actions, these pardons and commutations reflect my overarching commitment to addressing racial disparities and improving public safety,” Biden said in the statement.
He also noted that April is Second Chance Month and marked it by reaffirming his commitment to rehabilitation and reentry programs and building a criminal justice system that “ensures that everyone receives equal justice under law.”
The five individuals with sentences being commuted include Daequon Charles Davis of Johnson City, Tenn., who faced 262 months for conspiracy to distribute or to possess with intent to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine, and Jophaney Hyppolite of Miami, who faced life imprisonment for distribution and conspiracy to manufacture and to possess with intent to distribute more than 280 grams cocaine base.
Also having their sentences commuted are Xavier Martez Parnell of Clarksville, Tenn., who faced 300 months of imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, and Margaret Ann Vandyke of Ellenville, N.Y., who faced 60 months of imprisonment for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
The sentence of Leshay Nicole Rhoton of Bristol, Tenn., who faced 240 months of imprisonment for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base and 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, will also be commuted.
Biden in December 2023 commuted the sentences of 11 individuals serving jail sentences for nonviolent drug offenses and signed a proclamation to pardon certain marijuana offenses. In October 2022, he announced pardons for thousands of individuals who had been convicted of simple marijuana possession under federal law.
Date: | |
Tag: | Joe Biden |
Filter
-
Biden administration grants flexibility for automakers in EV tax credit rule
The Biden administration on Friday granted automakers some flexibility on qualifying for electric vehicle tax credits. The new final guidance, issued as part of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, incorporates a two-year exemption to provisions of ...The Hill - Politics - Joe Biden -
Foreign bondholders, including BlackRock and Pimco, plan to press Ukraine to start paying interest on its debt again as soon as next year, according to people familiar with the matter, after a grace period granted in the wake of Russia's invasion.
Foreign bondholders, including BlackRock and Pimco, plan to press Ukraine to start paying interest on its debt again as soon as next year, according to people familiar with the matter, after a grace period granted in the wake of Russia’s invasion.The Wall Street Journal - World -
Burgum says a Trump conviction would be a 'travesty of justice'
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum (R) said it would be a "travesty of justice" if former President Trump is convicted in the New York hush money trial. "Well, if he becomes a convicted felon in this case, that's a just, a travesty of justice because ...The Hill - Politics - Donald Trump -
Biden awards the Medal of Freedom to Nancy Pelosi, Medgar Evers, Michelle Yeoh and 16 others
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, slain civil rights activist Medgar Evers and actor Michelle Yeoh are among a diverse group of 19 people who have received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Joe BidenABC News - Entertainment - Joe Biden -
The Biden Legacy and the 'Very Fine People'
What will we remember?The Wall Street Journal - World - Joe Biden -
Biden awards Medal of Freedom to 19 people
President Biden Friday awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 people, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, former Vice President Al Gore and Olympic swimmer Katie Ledecky. Weijia Jiang reports.CBS News - Top stories - Joe Biden -
Biden awards Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 people
President Joe Biden awarded the nation's highest civilian honor to 19 people on Saturday. Recipients included Ellen Ochoa, the first Hispanic woman in space, and Katie Ledecky, the most decorated female swimmer in history.CBS News - Top stories - Joe Biden
More from The Hill
-
Jeffries: Democrats 'effectively' in majority due to GOP 'chaos, dysfunction'
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said “chaos” and “dysfunction” in the House GOP has “effectively” given Democrats the majority, lending credence to far-right criticism of Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) as the GOP majority slims. ...The Hill - Politics -
'If Roe v. Wade can fall, anything can fall,' says Jeffries in stressing importance of elections
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) emphasized the stakes of the 2024 election in a “60 Minutes” interview on Sunday, warning that much more than abortion rights are at risk if former President Trump gets a second term. He told CBS’ ...The Hill - Politics -
Kim Godwin out at ABC News
Kim Godwin is leaving as the head of ABC News, she announced to employees on Sunday evening. Godwin is retiring after what she called a time of “considerable reflection," she wrote in a note obtained by The Hill. In another note to staff, Debra ...The Hill - Politics -
Biden administration pauses ammunition shipment to Israel: Report
The Biden administration halted a shipment of ammunition bound for Israel last week, Axios first reported, as pressure rises over the Israeli military’s promised invasion of Rafah in Gaza. Israeli officials were left scrambling as to why the ...The Hill - Politics - Joe Biden -
Boeing's Starliner spacecraft to launch first crewed mission
Boeing’s first crewed mission of its Starliner spacecraft is set to launch Monday night, a milestone for the aerospace manufacturer. The Starliner is scheduled to lift off at about 10:30 p.m. Monday, weather permitting, carrying two NASA ...The Hill - Politics