Biden offers 'second chances' to 16 people jailed for non-violent drug sentences

WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden has pardoned 11 people convicted of non-violent drug charges and commuted the sentences of five others.

“America is a nation founded on the promise of second chances,” Biden said Wednesday in a statement announcing the decision.

Many of those who received clemency received disproportionately longer sentences than they would have under current law, policy and practice, Biden said.

Those pardoned have demonstrated their commitment to improving their lives and transforming their communities, Biden said. Those who received commutations “have shown that they are deserving of forgiveness and the chance at building a brighter future for themselves beyond prison walls,” he said.

Biden said the pardons and commutations reflect his commitment to addressing racial disparities and improving public safety.

The 11 people pardoned:

–Jason Hernandez, 47, of McKinney, Texas. Convicted of several non-violent drug offenses for conduct that began while he was still a juvenile. He now runs a nonprofit that transformed the store in front of which he used to sell drugs into a market that provides good quality and affordable food.

–Beverly Holcy , 59, of Palatka, Fla. Pleaded guilty to a non-violent drug offense committed at the age of 27. After completing her sentence, she has been fully employed, volunteers at her church and assists in various community activities.

–Jeffrey Alan Lewis , 58, of Douglasville, Ga. Pleaded guilty to a non-violent drug offense at the age of 40. Since his release, he has contributed to the community through charitable works and active community engagement and has built a reputation as “a family man.”

–Bobby Darrell Lowery, 50, of Jackson, Miss. Convicted of a non-violent drug offense at age 25. Now actively volunteers at his church and at various community-based organizations.

–Jesse Mosley , 42, of Ponchatoula, La. Pleaded guilty to non-violent drug offenses at age 19. Since his release, he has started a business, manages rental properties, works as a realtor and regularly donates to school and local police department fundraising events and provides groceries and other necessities to those in need.

–Katrina Polk , 54, of Washington, D.C. Pleaded guilty to a non-violent drug offense at age 18. Upon her release, she earned  a Ph.D. in public policy and administration and is a respected advocate for the elderly.

– Glenn Ray Royal, 49, of San Antonio, Texas. Pleaded guilty to a non-violent drug offense committed at age 20. Since his release, he has earned two degrees, steadily worked in the information technology field and serves as a mentor and coach for college students.

–Alexis Sutton, 33, of New Haven, Conn. Pleaded guilty to a non-violent drug offense. Since early termination of her probationary sentence, she has taken classes in hopes of earning her nursing degree and ultimately becoming a registered nurse.

–Ricky Donnell Tyler , 54, of Columbia, S.C. Convicted of non-violent drug offenses and sentenced when he was 26. Since his release, he has worked as a truck driver, started his own business and served as a mentor to young people.

–Stacy Lynn Wilder, 49, of Albany, N.Y. Pleaded guilty to a non-violent drug offense. Since her release, she has worked as a payroll examiner and in related roles in state government and contributes money and goods to organizations that support the unhoused, animals, and veterans.

–Pilar Alejandra Yelicie-Rodriguez , 48, of Fairfax, Va. Pleaded guilty to a non-violent drug offense. Since her release, she has maintained steady work and has dedicated her time to her family and volunteered at her church.

The five people whose sentences were commuted:

–Daequon Charles Davis of Johnson City, Tenn. Sentenced in 2017 to 262 months in prison and 10 years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute or to possess with intent to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine. Sentence commuted to a term of 120 months, leaving intact the 10-year term of supervised release.

–Jophaney Hyppolite of Miami, Fla. Sentenced in 2013 to life in prison and 10 years of supervised released for conspiracy to manufacture and to possess with intent to distribute more than 280 grams cocaine base and distribution and aiding and abetting the distribution of cocaine base. Sentence commuted to a term of 360 months, leaving in effect the 10-year term of supervised release.

–Xavier Martez Parnell of Clarksville, Tenn. Sentenced in 2012 to 300 months in prison and 10 years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, including 500 grams or more of cocaine and 280 grams or more of cocaine base. Sentence commuted to a term of 210 months, leaving in effect the 10-year term of supervised release.

–Leshay Nicole Rhoton of Bristol, Tenn. Sentenced in 2013 to 240 months of prison and 10 years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base and 5 kilograms or more of cocaine. Sentence commuted to a term of 150 months, leaving in effect the 10-year term of supervised release.

–Margaret Ann Vandyke of Ellenville, N.Y. Sentenced in 2022 to 60 months of prison and three years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance (crack cocaine). Sentence commuted to expire on Aug. 22, 2024, leaving in effect the three-year term of supervised.

Michael Collins covers the White House. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @mcollinsNEWS.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden offers 'second chances' to 16 people jailed for non-violent drug sentences