Obama Grants Early Release to Inmates. The White House commuted the prison sentences of 61 inmates serving time for drug offenses—more than one-third of whom were serving life sentences. The move is part of the administration’s broad push to relieve inmates serving time for nonviolent drug offenses; so far in his presidency, Obama has commuted the sentences of 248 people.
On March 30, 2016, President Barack Obama granted commutation of sentence to 61 individuals.
The President granted commutations of sentence to the following 61 individuals:
· Henry Claude Agnew – Miami, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base; Southern District of Florida
Sentence: 262 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release (November 24, 2003)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
· David Lang Akana – Pahala, HI
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine; attempt to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine; attempt to possess with intent to distribute cocaine; possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; District of Hawaii
Sentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (February 15, 2006)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
· Robert Anthony Anderson – Louisville, KY
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine; attempt to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, aiding and abetting; Western District of Kentucky
Sentence: Life imprisonment (August 8, 1994)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on March 30, 2017.
· Marvin Bailey – Hollywood, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base; aiding the travel in interstate commerce to promote the distribution of cocaine; possession with intent to distribute cocaine; Southern District of West Virginia
Sentence: Life imprisonment; $25,000 fine (June 19, 1997)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on March 30, 2017, and unpaid balance of the $25,000 fine remitted.
· Bernard Beard – Compton, CA
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine, cocaine base, heroin, and phencyclidine (PCP); felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition; Central District of California
Sentence: 240 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release (May 22, 2009)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
· Reginald Wendell Boyd, Jr. – Greensboro, NC
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine hydrochloride; carry a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime; Middle District of North Carolina
Sentence: 180 months' imprisonment; eight years' supervised release (October 31, 2005)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
· Carmel Bretous – Miami, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to import at least five kilograms of cocaine; importation of five kilograms of cocaine; conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms of cocaine; possession with intent to distribute five kilograms of cocaine; Southern District of Florida
Sentence: 235 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release (November 6, 2001)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
· Terry Brown – St. Louis, MO
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and phencyclidine (PCP); Eastern District of Missouri
Sentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (July 7, 2005)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
· Willie Chevell Cameron – Panama City Beach, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana, a mixture and substance containing cocaine, more than 50 grams of methamphetamine (actual) and more than 50 grams of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine; Northern District of Florida
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (June 14, 2006)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
· Nathan Carter – Memphis, TN
Offense: 1. Possession of 121 grams cocaine with intent to distribute; possession of
65.8 grams cocaine base with intent to distribute; Western District of Tennessee
2. Supervised release violation (attempted possession with intent to distribute cocaine); Western District of Tennessee
Sentence: 1. Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (April 30, 1999)
2. 30 months' imprisonment; 18 months' supervised release; $10,000 fine (May 5, 1999)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence for both offenses commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
· Lewis Clay – College Park, GA
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute and the distribution of at least 50 grams of crack cocaine; possession of cocaine; Northern District of Georgia
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (May 1, 2003)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
· Manuel Colon – Springfield, MA
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, cocaine base, and heroin; possession with intent to distribute cocaine; District of Massachusetts
Sentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (January 25, 2007)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
· Alvin Cordell – Cincinnati, OH
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine and marijuana; attempt to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base (crack); Southern District of Ohio
Sentence: Life imprisonment; $50,000 fine (May 5, 1997)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on March 30, 2017, and unpaid balance of the $50,000 fine remitted
· Kevin County – New Orleans, LA
Offense: 1. Distributing more than 100 grams of heroin; distributing less than 100
grams of heroin (two counts); Eastern District of Louisiana
2. Conspiracy to distribute cocaine base and cocaine hydrochloride, distribution of cocaine base, distribution of cocaine hydrochloride, use of a communication facility in furtherance of a drug crime; Eastern District of Louisiana
Sentence: 1. 151 months' imprisonment; six years’ supervised release (December 18, 2002)
2. 240 months' imprisonment (concurrent); 10 years' supervised release (March 26, 2003)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
· Nabar Moneek Criam – Brooklyn, NY
Offense: Possessed with intent to distribute crack; possessed firearms during trafficking crime; Middle District of North Carolina
Sentence: 180 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release (March 30, 2007)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
· Amos Embress Cyrus – Hemingway, SC
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine base; supervised release violation (Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and possession with intent to distribute cocaine); District of South Carolina
Sentence: 300 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release (June 21, 1996)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
· Roy Lee Debose – Shreveport, LA
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine hydrochloride; conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base; Western District of Louisiana
Sentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (September 18, 2000)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
· Dexter Lanoyd Dickens – Panama City, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of a mixture or substance containing cocaine; distribution of a mixture or substance containing cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school (four counts); principal to distribution and possession with intent to distribute a mixture or substance containing cocaine; distribution and possession with intent to distribute a mixture or substance containing cocaine; possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing cocaine; Northern District of Florida
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (December 17, 2004)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
· Andre Ester – Houston, TX
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base; aiding and abetting the possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; Southern District of Texas
Sentence: 300 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release (October 25, 2002)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
· Christopher Tim Florence – Chapel Hill, NC
Offense: Possessed with intent to distribute cocaine base (crack); Middle District of North Carolina
Sentence: 268 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (August 9, 2005)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
· Ian Kavanaugh Gavin – Eight Mile, AL
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine; using/carrying a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense; Southern District of Alabama
Sentence: 180 months' imprisonment; eight years' supervised release (March 8, 2007)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016, and supervised release term commuted to four years of supervised release.
· Isadore Gennings – Cincinnati, OH
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine; interstate travel in aid of racketeering enterprises; possession with intent to distribute in excess of five kilograms of cocaine; Southern District of Ohio
Sentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (March 14, 2002)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016, and supervised release term commuted to five years of supervised release.
· Lamont Durville Glass – Knoxville, TN
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; felon in possession of a firearm; Eastern District of Tennessee
Sentence: 262 months' imprisonment; eight years' supervised release (January 9, 1998)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
· Vander Keith Gore – Little River, SC
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base, five kilograms or more of cocaine, 50 kilograms or more of marijuana, and less than 100 grams of heroin; District of South Carolina
Sentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (October 30, 2002)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
· George Michael Gray – Springfield, OR
Offense: Conspiracy to manufacture, possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine; manufacture of methamphetamine; possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; possession of firearm in connection with drug trafficking offense; District of Oregon
Sentence: Life imprisonment; five years' supervised release (July 3, 1995)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
· Curtis Greer – Rosenberg, TX
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine base (two counts); Southern District of Texas
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release; $5,000 fine (August 21, 2003)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016, and unpaid balance of the $5,000 fine remitted.
· Jerome Harris, Jr. – Mobile, AL
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine; possession with intent to distribute cocaine; use/carry/possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; Southern District of Alabama
Sentence: 300 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (November 7, 2006)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
· Vernon Harris – Philadelphia, PA
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute; possession of firearm by convicted felon; Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (October 25, 1996)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
· Kenneth G. Harvey – Los Angeles, CA
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base; Western District of Missouri
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release; $10,000 fine (April 5, 1991)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
· Andrew Lee Holzendorf – South Bay, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base; Northern District of Florida
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (November 14, 1996)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
· Tommy Howard – Cincinnati, OH
Offense: Use of a firearm during the commission of a drug trafficking offense; Southern District of Ohio
Sentence: 292 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release; $1,000 fine (January 8, 2004)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
· Kenneth Isaacs – Little Rock, AR
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute hydromorphone; Eastern District of Arkansas
Sentence: 180 months' imprisonment; three years' supervised release (May 6, 2004)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
· Robert Lee Lane – Bradenton, FL
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base; Middle District of Florida
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (May 3, 1990)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
· Angela LaPlatney – Casper, WY
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute methamphetamine; concealing a person from arrest; District of Wyoming
Sentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release; $1,000 fine (February 17, 2005)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
· Anthony Lee Lewis – Tampa, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine; distribution of crack cocaine; possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine; convicted felon in possession of a firearm; possession with intent to distribute cocaine; Middle District of Florida
Sentence: Life imprisonment (September 16, 1994)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on March 30, 2017.
· Herbert Lewis, Jr. – Okmulgee, OK
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute cocaine (two counts); Eastern District of Oklahoma
Sentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release; $2,500 fine (March 7, 2003)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016, and unpaid balance of the $2,500 fine remitted.
· Byron Lamont McDade – Bowie, MD
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, aiding and abetting; District of Columbia
Sentence: 324 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release (May 29, 2002)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
· John E. Milton, III – Baton Rouge, LA
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine and cocaine base; Middle District of Louisiana
Sentence: 600 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release; $250,000 fine (April 3, 1997)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016, and unpaid balance of the $250,000 fine remitted.
· Gregory Morgan – Jonesboro, GA
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base; Northern District of Georgia
Sentence: 225 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (March 11, 2003)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
· Michael W. Morris – Fort Worth , TX
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute "crack" cocaine base; Southern District of Indiana
Sentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (December 24, 2003)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016, and supervised release term commuted to five years of supervised release.
· Larry Nokes – Quincy, IL
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances; possession of a controlled substance; Central District of Illinois
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (December 10, 2007)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
· Wayne Parker – Miami, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine and cocaine base; Northern District of Florida
Sentence: 420 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release; $1,500 fine (November 23, 1999); amended to 360 months' imprisonment; six years’ supervised release; $1,500 fine (March 8, 2001)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
· Exdonovan Peak – Brooklyn, NY
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine; Southern District of Mississippi
Sentence: 365 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release; $12,000 fine (February 13, 1997)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016, and unpaid balance of the $12,000 fine remitted.
· Carol Denise Richardson – Texas City, TX
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of cocaine base (incorrectly described in the judgment as cocaine); possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of cocaine base; Southern District of Texas
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (June 16, 2006)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
· Jose Ramon Rivera – Chicago, IL
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin; distribution of heroin (two counts); Northern District of Illinois
Sentence: 360 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (November 10, 1993)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
· Ismael Rosa – Chicago, IL
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute multiple kilograms of cocaine (four counts); use of communication facility in commission of drug offense (two counts); Northern District of Illinois
Sentence: Life imprisonment (August 8, 1995)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on March 30, 2017.
· Melissa Ross – Daytona Beach, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine hydrochloride and 50 grams or more of cocaine base; Middle District of Florida
Sentence: 292 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release; $4,000 fine (June 11, 2002); amended to 240 months' imprisonment (January 17, 2009)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016, and unpaid balance of the $4,000 fine remitted.
· Jeffrey Sapp – Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine; possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine; Southern District of Florida
Sentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (January 24, 2003)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
· Robin Evette Shoulders – Louisville, KY
Offense: Possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base; possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine; Western District of Kentucky
Sentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (December 16, 2002)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on September 26, 2016.
· Eric Smith – Memphis, TN
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base; unlawfully maintaining a residence for the purpose of distributing and using cocaine base; Western District of Tennessee
Sentence: 360 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release (April 24, 1995)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
· Ernest Spiller – East St. Louis, IL
Offense: Distribution of crack cocaine (two counts); maintaining a crack house; possession of a firearm in further of a drug trafficking crime; felon in possession of a firearm; Southern District of Illinois
Sentence: 352 months' imprisonment; three years' supervised release; $1,000 fine (August 3, 2000)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
· Tairone Traniel Stanford – Buna, TX
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a Schedule II controlled substance - cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute a Schedule II controlled substance - cocaine base; Eastern District of Texas
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (April 22, 1999)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
· Alohondra Rey Staton – Greenville, NC
Offense: Possession with the intent to distribute cocaine base (crack); Eastern District of North Carolina
Sentence: 360 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release (August 21, 2001)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
· Corey R. Thomas – St. Louis, MO
Offense: Possession with the intent to distribute more than 50 grams of cocaine base ("crack"); Eastern District of Missouri
Sentence: Life imprisonment; five years' supervised release (June 9, 2004)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
· Damion L. Tripp – Poplar Bluff, MO
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute a substance containing 50 grams or more of cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute a substance containing a detectable amount of marijuana; Eastern District of Missouri
Sentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (April 28, 2008)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
· Dwayne Twane Walker – Charlottesville, VA
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine base; Western District of Virginia
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release; $500 fine (May 27, 1997)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
· Jesse Webster – Chicago, IL
Offense: Conspiracy; attempting to possess with intent to distribute cocaine (incorrectly listed on the judgment as conspiracy); filing false income tax return (two counts); Northern District of Illinois
Sentence: Life imprisonment; five years' supervised release; $25,000 fine (March 21, 1996)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on September 26, 2016, and balance of the $25,000 fine remitted.
· Shermaine Donnell Whitley – Charleston, SC
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine and cocaine base (“crack”); District of South Carolina
Sentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (May 1, 2003)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
· Sammy Lee Woods – Aurora, CO
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 or more grams of cocaine base, aiding and abetting; use of a communications facility to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base, aiding and abetting; possession with intent to distribute 1.062 grams of cocaine base, aiding and abetting; District of Colorado
Sentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (April 21, 2004)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
· Christopher Michael Wright – Elmira, OR
Offense: Conspiracy to manufacture and distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine; District of Oregon
Sentence: 216 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release; $5,000 restitution (May 31, 2006)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
· Michael A. Yandal – Murray, KY
Offense: Possession with the intent to distribute approximately 50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing cocaine base; possession with the intent to distribute marijuana; possession of a firearm in the furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; Western District of Kentucky
Sentence: 195 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release (April 24, 2007); amended to 180 months' imprisonment (December 11, 2007)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
