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Saturday, April 29, 2023

President Biden Grants Clemency for 31 Drug Smugglers & Dealers

"Socalj" for Borderland Beat


On April 28, 2023, the White House announced that Biden had granted clemency to 31 federal prisoners, with all to be released on June 30 and many under varying terms of supervised release. April was termed as 'Second Chance Month'. Last year on April 26, 78 clemencies were announced. Of those, 77 were imprisoned on drug trafficking and distribution charges.

Of the list of 31 federal prisoners granted clemency this time, all are convicted of possession and distribution of large quantities of narcotics, primarily methamphetamine with three marijuana trafficking convictions, seven cocaine-related crimes, and two heroin distribution charges.


The 31 commutations were for people convicted of nonviolent drug crimes, who were serving time in home confinement and taking advantage of education and employment opportunities, the White House said. Many would have received a lower sentence if they were charged with the same offense today due to changes in the law, including the First Step Act, a bipartisan criminal justice bill signed into law by President Donald Trump in December 2018.

One such inmate on the list is Lori Broadway, 41, who won the rare reprieve despite pleading guilty to transporting a large drug haul from Houston to New Orleans, where she was arrested in January 2016. Authorities busted Broadway after discovering she had made similar suspicious trips from Houston to New Jersey aboard Amtrak train in October and December 2015, stopping off in New Orleans along the way, according to court documents.

When confronted by police in New Orleans, she said she had “a lot” of “cocaine” in her bags, but 6 brown bricks tested positive for heroin. The total weight of the heroin was 15.7 pounds, charging documents said. In pleading guilty, Broadway admitted in June 2016 to transporting between three kilograms and 10 kilograms, or 6.6 to 22 pounds of heroin. Broadway, who had prior drug busts, was sentenced to 10 years in prison and five years of supervised release. Before Biden’s clemency, she was scheduled to be released early having served the mandatory 85% of her term, in August 2024.

Thousands of Federal Marijuana Prisoners Still Remain

On a primary debate stage four years ago, Biden said, “I think we should decriminalize marijuana, period. And I think everyone, anyone who has a record, should be let out of jail, their records expunged, be completely zeroed out.” During his time in the US Senate, Biden helped write some of the most strict anti-drug laws put in place in the 1980s and 90s.

Last year, Biden announced the pardon of all federal prisoners who were incarcerated due to non-violent simple marijuana possession charges. Of those 6,500 federal prisoners (marijuana possession is usually a state offense, while interstate trafficking and related charges are federal); there are still 2,700 imprisoned on those charges.

Cannabis advocates complained that Biden’s clemency didn’t free any of the 2,700 or so people actually imprisoned for pot, some of whom have life sentences. Activists have campaigned for the release of several high-profile inmates, such as Pedro Moreno, 63, who has a life sentence for distributing marijuana imported from Mexico from 1986 to 1996.

Another federal inmate, Luke Scarmazzo, 42, has served more than 14 years of a 22-year sentence for running a medical marijuana business in California.


Chiquita Acker – Pearlington, Mississippi
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine (Southern District of Mississippi).
Sentence: 120 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release, $5,000 fine (March 16, 2017).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on June 30, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release and the unpaid remainder, if any, of the $5,000 fine.

Kathy Alexander – Kennett, Missouri
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine (Western District of Missouri).
Sentence: 84 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (March 13, 2019).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on June 30, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release.

Camille Diane Armstrong – Corpus Christi, Texas
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 84 grams of actual methamphetamine (Southern District of Texas).
Sentence: 120 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (January 5, 2017).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on June 30, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release.

Connie Avalos – Menifee, California
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine (Eastern District of Kentucky).
Sentence: Life imprisonment (November 30, 2009); commuted to 235 months of imprisonment (January 19, 2017).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on June 30, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement.

Lori Broadway – Winnfield, Louisiana
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin (Eastern District of Louisiana).
Sentence: 120 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (September 8, 2016).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on June 30, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release.

Kevin Lee Burdock – Keswick, Iowa
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute at least 500 grams of methamphetamine; possession with intent to distribute marijuana (Southern District of Iowa).
Sentence: Life imprisonment, 10-year term of supervised release (February 2, 2009); amended to 240 months of imprisonment, 10-year term of supervised release (June 24, 2010).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on June 30, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the 10-year term of supervised release.

Bongani Charles Calhoun – Houston, Texas
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine; attempt to possess with intent to distribute cocaine; possession of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime (Western District of Texas)
Sentence: 180 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (June 21, 2011).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on June 30, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release.

Jennifer Marie Chastain – Delhi, Iowa
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine (Northern District of Iowa).
Sentence: 121 months of imprisonment, three-year term of supervised release (June 13, 2017).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on June 30, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the three-year term of supervised release.

Aaron Courter – Evansville, Indiana
Offense: Conspiracy with intent to distribute and to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine (Southern District of Indiana).
Sentence: 87 months of imprisonment, three-year term of supervised release (October 20, 2017).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on June 30, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the three-year term of supervised release.

Catherine Crotts – Mulberry, Florida
Offense: Distribution of five grams or more of methamphetamine (Middle District of Florida).
Sentence: 120 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (September 20, 2016).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on June 30, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release.

Scottie Ladon Dixon – Atmore, Alabama
Offense: Supervised release violation (conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine);
Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine (Southern District of Alabama).
Sentence:33 months of imprisonment (concurrent) (May 18, 2010);
Life imprisonment, 10-year term of supervised release (May 18, 2010); commuted to 221 months of imprisonment, 10-year term of supervised release (August 3, 2016).
Commutation Grant: Total sentence commuted to expire on June 30, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the 10-year term of supervised release.

Samuel Gemple – Fort Wayne, Indiana
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana (Northern District of Indiana).
Sentence: 120 months of imprisonment, eight-year term of supervised release (February 2, 2018).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on June 30, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the eight-year term of supervised release.

Mario Francisco Gomez, Jr. – Laredo, Texas
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine; possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, aiding and abetting (Eastern District of Michigan).
Sentence: 120 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (January 30, 2017).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on June 30, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release.

Daniel Graap – Wausau, Wisconsin
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine (Western District of Wisconsin).
Sentence: 120 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (June 30, 2017).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on June 30, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release.

Lisa Gribble – La Fayette, Georgia
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine (Eastern District of Tennessee).
Sentence: 150 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (March 19, 2015).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on June 30, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release.

Andre Richard Harris – Detroit, Michigan
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine (Northern District of Alabama).
Sentence: 120 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (October 10, 2017).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on June 30, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release.

Bart Hyde – Clinton, Iowa
Offense: Conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine (Southern District of Iowa).
Sentence: 235 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (November 4, 2011); amended to 188 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (September 18, 2015).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on June 30, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release.

Rebecca Lawrence – Omega, Georgia
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine (Middle District of Georgia).
Sentence: 120 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (October 26, 2018).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on June 30, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release.

Rogelio Murillo – Riverview, Florida
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute a quantity exceeding 100 kilograms, that is, approximately 194 kilograms of marijuana (Southern District of Texas).
Sentence: 108 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release, $5,000 fine (June 20, 2016).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on June 30, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release and the unpaid remainder, if any, of the $5,000 fine.

Ricky Lee Newton – Otisville, Michigan
Offense: Conspiracy to possess more than 100 kilograms but less than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana (with intent to distribute) (Eastern District of Michigan)
Sentence: 360 months of imprisonment, eight-year term of supervised release, $20,000 fine (December 19, 2002).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on June 30, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release and the unpaid remainder, if any, of the $20,000 fine.

Shawn Paaaina – Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and to possess 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of cocaine with intent to distribute (District of Hawaii).
Sentence: 78 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (September 24, 2019).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on June 30, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release.

Robert Raymond Palmer – Waynesboro, Mississippi
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine (Southern District of Alabama).
Sentence: 89 months and 23 days of imprisonment, four-year term of supervised release (July 28, 2017).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on June 30, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the four-year term of supervised release.

Gregory Todd Peasley – Onawa, Iowa
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine (Northern District of Iowa).
Sentence: 150 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (May 11, 2015).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on June 30, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release.

Maria Peterson – New York, New York
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin; distribution and possession with intent to distribute heroin (District of New Jersey).
Sentence: 60 months of imprisonment, three-year term of supervised release (March 20, 2019).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on June 30, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the three-year term of supervised release.

Samuel Rivera – Utica, New York
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine (Northern District of New York).
Sentence: 120 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (April 5, 2018).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on June 30, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release.

German Roman-Oliver – Grove City, Ohio
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute over 500 grams of cocaine (Southern District of Ohio).
Sentence: 192 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (March 8, 2012).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on June 30, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release.

Vickie Sanders – Olney, Illinois
Offense: Conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine; attempt to manufacture methamphetamine; possession of pseudoephedrine knowing it would be used to manufacture a controlled substance – methamphetamine (four counts) (Southern District of Illinois).
Sentence: 120 months of imprisonment, eight-year term of supervised release, $300 fine (May 9, 2018).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on June 30, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the eight-year term of supervised release and the unpaid remainder, if any, of the $300 fine.

Phillip Steely – Morris Chapel, Tennessee
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine (Western District of Tennessee).
Sentence: 121 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (June 18, 2018).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on June 30, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release.

Ryan Vick – Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine or 500 grams or more of a mixture containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine after having been previously convicted of a felony drug offense (Northern District of Iowa).
Sentence: 235 months of imprisonment, 10-year term of supervised release (March 1, 2012); amended to 211 months of imprisonment, 10-year term of supervised release (September 20, 2012).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on June 30, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the 10-year term of supervised release.

Gregory Warrick – Capital Heights, Maryland
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine (District of Maryland);
Attempted possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance (cocaine) (District of Columbia Superior Court).
Sentence:168 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (April 28, 2014);
18 months of imprisonment (concurrent), five-year term of supervised release (June 13, 2014).
Commutation Grant: Total sentence commuted to expire on June 30, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release.

Raymond Washington – Corinth, Texas
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine (Eastern District of Texas).
Sentence: 276 months of imprisonment, 10-year term of supervised release (October 19, 2011); amended to 240 months, 10-year term of supervised release (May 25, 2016).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on June 30, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the 10-year term of supervised release.

Sources White House, New York Post, Washington Post

43 comments:

  1. If I was Biden I would have released the biggest drug lord of all times El Chapo Guzman

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If I was God I would’ve struck Nixon with lightning ⚡️

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    2. If i was biden i would of also released el chapo in an crocodile infested waters

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    3. If I was Biden, I would pardon ALMO for saying Fentynal does not come from Mexico.

      Delete
    4. If I was Biden I would’ve voted for Bernie

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    5. Biden has balls for wanting to run for president again.

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    6. 3:07 Which is funny because the night he won his administration literally said “he doesn’t know if he has two terms in him”. The dude already became president but he can’t just let that go. He has nothing more to gain being in office. The fact that the retirement age for politics is somehow like 90 years old is getting old (no pun intended).

      Delete
    7. Poor Chapo, simultaneously jerking off and crying himself to sleep in his cell at ADX.

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    8. 4:20 no problem if he wants to run again, I don't care if he is 100, as long as he can do the job. You got to get used to old man jokes.
      Also it will be left to the American voters to decide. We also need to see who else is stepping up to the base.

      Delete
    9. 6:30 Thanks for the generic response anonymous but I think it’s kind of cruel/unhealthy for someone of his… condition to be doing that job.

      Delete
    10. 5.08 such a robotic response.
      Simple as 1,2,3 don't vote for him.
      Me too I don't care if he is 150 years.
      I am glad to vote for him again.

      Delete
    11. If I was Biden Iwill forgive grampa Obrador
      for being a payaso.

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    12. If I was Biden I would release Chapo jefe de jefes Guzman. And I would run for president again.

      Delete
    13. If I was Biden, I'd be using a walker and tying a red string around my finger to remember where I last left left my slippers.

      Delete
    14. If I was Biden, I would give hugs and kisses and tell parents of overdose victims all will be ok. And the problem disappears.😸🤪

      Delete
    15. If i was Biden i would of forgotten my name 🤣🤣🤣 and if i was trump i would of said Stormie's story was fake news

      Delete
  2. They were all non-violent crimes, however, those crimes contribute to violence and deaths.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You could say the same about alcohol which is connected to 40% of all violent crime.

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    2. 11:38 Yes, you can say that. I agree, but it's legal.

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    3. 4:18 Just like all drugs should be

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    4. 6:30
      I agree.

      Delete
  3. Typical Dumbocrat move , then he’ll pull laws out his ass to punish law abiding citizens 🤡

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  4. Animo Sicarios !!
    El Señor Chapo Guzman should be on this list.
    El patron era sólo un agricultor de frijol y maíz.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tienes razon y yo compre su frijol de el ultimo saco 🙏

      Delete
    2. Chapo going to rot in an american prison for being a stupid ass motherfucker. Shld of stayed in the mountains.

      Delete
  5. More votes for him I guess. 😂

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They won’t be allowed to vote

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    2. 3:15 yea because 31 votes is a lot of votes 🤦‍♂️

      Delete
  6. That dumb fool doesn’t know any of these people doesn’t recognize any other names. He just sign some papers he didn’t make any decisions.!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's not Biden, it's a double.

      Delete
  7. All of these are political favors

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  8. Prolly a bunch of informants. The US trying to be slick and play both sides . Lol

    ReplyDelete
  9. Declare war on the cartels then let some free all In 48 hours. Seems like we still in the ol hamster wheel. Haha

    ReplyDelete
  10. They're all friends of his son :D

    ReplyDelete
  11. Gee, who would believe? I am convinced (indirectly, of course) that Democraps are doing narco-cartel business...and that Mexican narco-cartels were , and still are, heavily involved in USA politics.... How else can you explain fentanyl, human and drug smuggling tsunamis, no Wall, and much else.
    Narco-cartels love Democaca Party! Simple.
    Mexico-Watcher

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh brother shiver my Timbers.

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    2. Footage coming out pretty much daily of people hopping that wall bro. Also I would think any BB reader would be informed enough to know the wall would have little to no effect on smuggling of drugs specifically. If things were really that corrupt on the US side then the heroin trade would be left alone.

      Delete
  12. Released them to supply his son

    ReplyDelete

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