Last week, President Obama put another dent in undoing some of the mass life incarceration of drug offenders under Bill Clinton’s 90’s Crime bill.
Last Friday, June 3, ahead of President Obama endorsing for President Clinton’s wife Hillary Clinton, the official presumptive Democratic nominee as of tonight, June 6, 2016, Obama commuted the sentences of 42 men. About 19 of the 42 were jailed during Bill’s term.
When President Bill Clinton was in office, he aggressively cracked down on the troubling drug epidemic in many inner cities and urban communities.
To do so, he passed a very tough Crime Bill, The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act. It did, in fact, work to clean up the drug dealers off the streets, but the effect was that it also landed a lot of black and brown men in jail for LIFE for non-violent offenses like drug distribution.
The omnibus crime bill that Clinton signed included the federal “three strikes” provision, mandating life sentences for criminals convicted of a violent felony after two or more prior convictions, including drug crimes.
Clinton himself has admitted that this law contributed to the nation’s mass incarceration epidemic.
“I signed a bill that made the problem worse,” Clinton told an audience at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People‘s annual meeting in Philadelphia. “And I want to admit it.”
In an interview with CNN earlier this year, the former President said the problem is the 1994 law “cast too wide a net and we had too many people in prison.”
This is not the first time the President has released non-violent offenders.
He commuted 61 sentences in March. and 58 before that.
Here is the list of the recent release of more men and more details about their crime and sentences.
· Eric E. Alvarez – New York, NY
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base (crack); conspiracy to commit money laundering; Eastern District of North Carolina
Sentence: 360 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (April 18, 2000)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on October 1, 2016.
· Dale Baldwin – Largo, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (three counts); Middle District of Florida
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (June 28, 1995)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on October 1, 2016.
· Delaine F. Berg – Imboden, AR
Offense: Conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine; Eastern District of Missouri
Sentence: 360 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (May 26, 1998)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on October 1, 2016.
· Phillip Blackwood – Ridgewood, NY
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine base; distribution and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance; Eastern District of New York
Sentence: 240 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (November 21, 2008)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on October 1, 2016.
· Wilhemina Bryan – Orlando, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to import five kilograms or more of cocaine; conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute at least five kilograms of cocaine; possession with intent to distribute cocaine; Middle District of Florida
Sentence: 360 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (May 21, 2001)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on October 1, 2016.
· Charrell Franklin Burrage – Davenport, IA
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute; possession of firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking; Southern District of Iowa
Sentence: 300 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (November 29, 2004)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on October 1, 2016.
· Christopher Shawn Collier – Midland, TX
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine; possession with intent to distribute more than five grams of methamphetamine; Western District of Texas
Sentence: 360 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (May 10, 2002)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on June 3, 2018.
· Richard Eugene Dains – Porter, TX
Offense: Did conspire to manufacture methamphetamine; did knowingly and unlawfully possess in and affecting commerce, a firearm and prior thereto the defendant had been convicted in a court of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year; did knowingly use and carry a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime for which the defendant may be prosecuted in a court of the United States, namely, conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine; Eastern District of Texas
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (October 16, 1992)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on October 1, 2016.
· Douglas Ray Dunkins, Jr. – Fort Worth, TX
Offense: Conspiracy; Northern District of Texas
Sentence: Life imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (January 20, 1993)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on October 1, 2016.
· Ronald Gregory Farah – Boca Raton, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to import marijuana into the United States; importation of marijuana into the United States; conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana; possession with intent to distribute marijuana; Middle District of Florida
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (April 30, 1997)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on October 1, 2016.
· Joe Mack Flowers – St. Petersburg, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of “crack” cocaine; possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of “crack” cocaine; possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense; convicted felon in possession of a firearm; Middle District of Florida
Sentence: Life plus 60 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (July 1, 1991)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on October 1, 2016.
· Ronald Glinton – Boynton Beach, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to manufacture and possess with intent to distribute cocaine; conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute cocaine; possession of cocaine with intent to manufacture cocaine base; Southern District of Florida
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (April 2, 1993)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on October 1, 2016.
· Gregory E. Graham – Denver, CO
Offense: Distribution of cocaine base; District of Wyoming
Sentence: 300 months’ imprisonment; eight years’ supervised release; $1,000 fine (November 1, 2005)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on October 1, 2016.
· Teresa Mechell Griffin – Orlando, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to possess cocaine powder and/or cocaine base with intent to distribute; unlawful travel in interstate commerce with the intent to promote, manage, establish, carry on, or facilitate the promotion, management, establishment, and carrying on of unlawful activity; distribution of one kilogram of cocaine (two counts); Western District of Oklahoma
Sentence: Life imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (May 6, 1994)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on October 1, 2016.
· Larry Roscoe Gunnell, Jr. – Hightown, NJ
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute crack and aiding and abetting; Eastern District of Virginia
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (July 8, 1999)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on October 1, 2016.
· Marvin Hampton – Orangeburg, SC
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base; knowingly using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of, a drug trafficking crime; District of South Carolina
Sentence: 180 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (November 28, 2006)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on October 1, 2016.
awkins – Chicago, IL
Offense: Distribution of 5.4 grams of cocaine base within 1,000 feet of a protected location after two or more prior felony drug convictions; Northern District of Iowa
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (February 1, 2008)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on June 3, 2018.
· Cleon Jermaine Hawkins – Baker, LA
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute cocaine base and cocaine; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; Middle District of Louisiana
Sentence: 180 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (June 5, 2008)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on October 1, 2016.
· Bennit Hayes – Jonesboro, GA
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and five grams or more of cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing cocaine; Northern District of Florida
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release; $800 fine (February 6, 2003)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on October 1, 2016.
· Patrick Henderson – Beloit, WI
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine base; Western District of Wisconsin
Sentence: 360 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (April 13, 1998); amended to 292 months’ imprisonment (March 16, 2015)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on June 3, 2018.
· Tony Jones – Tallahassee, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (two counts); Northern District of Florida
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (May 16, 1997)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on June 3, 2018.
· Everette Bryant Law – Roanoke, VA
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute or to distribute crack cocaine, to distribute crack cocaine with intent of carrying on unlawful activity, distribute cocaine with intent of concealing proceeds of unlawful activity; distribute crack cocaine, aid and abet (three counts); false financial transactions to conceal proceeds of drug trafficking crime; Western District of Virginia
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (March 25, 1994)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on October 1, 2016.
· Gary Allen Lott – Oklahoma City, OK
Offense: Conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine (two counts); maintaining a residence to manufacture methamphetamine (three counts); possession of chemicals with intent to manufacture methamphetamine; use of a firearm in relation to drug trafficking crime; Western District of Oklahoma
Sentence: Life plus five years’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (April 5, 2000)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on June 3, 2018.
· Kareem Martin – River Rouge, MI
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; Eastern District of Michigan
Sentence: 276 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (January 18, 2007)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on June 3, 2018.
olan McSwain – Altadena, CA
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine; possession with intent to distribute cocaine; Central District of California
Sentence: Life imprisonment (December 6, 1993)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on June 3, 2017.
· Sherman Ray Meirovitz – Minneapolis, MN
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute cocaine; conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute cocaine; District of Minnesota
Sentence: Life imprisonment (January 5, 1990)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on June 3, 2017.
· Darran Lamar Moore – Miami, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and 50 grams or more of cocaine base; Southern District of Florida
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (March 22, 2005)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on October 1, 2016.
· Robert Pettway – Pensacola, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine base; Northern District of Florida
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release; $1,000 fine (August 31, 2004)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on October 1, 2016.
· Patrick Kit Plumlee – Newport News, VA
Offense: Continuing criminal enterprise; distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base (eight counts); use of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime; renting, leasing, and making premises available for storing and distributing cocaine and cocaine base; money laundering and conspiracy (10 counts); Eastern District of Virginia
Sentence: Life plus 60 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (July 18, 1994); amended to 420 months’ imprisonment (January 6, 2016)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on October 1, 2016.
· Shawn Antonio Pressley – Greensboro, NC
Offense: Possess with intent to distribute cocaine base (crack); carry a firearm during a drug trafficking crime; Middle District of North Carolina
Sentence: 322 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (January 23, 1998)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on October 1, 2016.
· Anthony Walter Puig – Land O’Lakes, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine; possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine; Middle District of Florida
Sentence: 360 months’ imprisonment; eight years’ supervised release (December 18, 2002)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on October 1, 2016.
· Emlera Quince – Knoxville, TN
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (two counts); Eastern District of Tennessee
Sentence: 300 months’ imprisonment; eight years’ supervised release (June 30, 1997)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on October 1, 2016.
· Jesus Ruiz – Kennedale, TX
Offense: 1. Conspiracy to distribute marijuana; Western District of New York;
2. Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana; conspiracy to export marijuana; Western District of New York
Sentence: 1. 92 months’ imprisonment; eight years’ supervised release (July 12, 1993);
2. 360 months’ imprisonment; eight years’ supervised release (April 17, 1998)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentences commuted to expire on October 1, 2016.
· Garrie Lavert Samuels – Groveport, OH
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine base; aiding and abetting distribution of more than 50 grams of cocaine base; aiding and abetting distribution of more than five grams of cocaine base; Western District of Texas
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (April 8, 2003)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on October 1, 2016.
· Robert Lewis Sleepers, III – South Bend, IN
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine and cocaine base; conspiracy to commit money laundering; Northern District of Indiana
Sentence: 240 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (June 18, 2004)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on October 1, 2016.
· Almos L. Starks – Jacksonville, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine and cocaine base; possess with intent to distribute and distribute cocaine; possess with intent to distribute in excess of 50 grams of cocaine base; possession of firearms by a convicted felon; Southern District of Ohio
Sentence: Life imprisonment; six years’ supervised release; $20,000 fine (October 5, 1995)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on October 1, 2016, and unpaid balance of the fine remitted.
· Phillip Maurice Thomas – Vero Beach, FL
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute at least five grams or more of cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute at least 500 grams or more of cocaine; possession with intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing MDMA or Ecstasy; possession with intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing marijuana; Southern District of Florida
Sentence: 292 months’ imprisonment; eight years’ supervised release (April 8, 2005)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on October 1, 2016.
· Shane William Tuttle – Great Falls, MT
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute (three counts); use of a firearm during drug trafficking offense (two counts); illegal use of communication facility (two counts); possession with intent to distribute cocaine; District of Montana
Sentence: 360 months’ imprisonment; four years’ supervised release (September 14, 1994)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on October 1, 2016.
· Craig L. Watson – Jacksonville, AR
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of crack cocaine; distribution of cocaine; attempt to distribute cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; Eastern District of Arkansas
Sentence: 276 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (July 10, 2006); amended to 240 months’ imprisonment (December 15, 2011)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on October 1, 2016.
· Lawrence McArthur Webb – Salem, VA
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of cocaine base and more than five kilograms of cocaine powder; distribution of cocaine (two counts); Western District of Virginia
Sentence: 240 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (June 4, 2007)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on October 1, 2016.
· Danny Ray White – Garland, TX
Offense: Attempt to manufacture and manufacture of methamphetamine; attempt to manufacture and manufacture of amphetamine; possession of a three-neck round-bottom flask; possession of a listed chemical, Ethyl Ether; Eastern District of Texas
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release; $11,000 fine (July 19, 1996)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on October 1, 2016.
· Julian L. Wyre – Chicago, IL
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; Northern District of Illinois
Sentence: 204 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release; $250 fine (November 6, 2008)
Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on June 3, 2018.
Jay Jay Ghatt is also editor at Techyaya.com, founder of the JayJayGhatt.com and JayJayGhatt.com where she teaches online creators how to navigate digital entrepreneurship and offers Do-It-For-You Blogging Service. She manages her lifestyle sites BellyitchBlog, Jenebaspeaks and JJBraids.com and is the founder of BlackWomenTech.com 200 Black Women in Tech On Twitter. Her biz podcast 10 Minute Podcast is available on iTunes and Player.fm. Follow her on Twitter at @Jenebaspeaks. Buy her templates over at her legal and business templates on Etsy shop!
