Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. is using his authority under the Constitution to advance equal justice under law by granting clemency to 16 deserving individuals who were convicted of non-violent drug offenses.
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. is pardoning the following eleven individuals:
Jason Hernandez - McKinney, Texas
Jason Hernandez is a 47-year-old man who was convicted of several non-violent drug offenses for conduct that began while he was still a juvenile. Had Mr. Hernandez been sentenced under current law and sentencing practices today, he would have received a significantly shorter sentence. Since his conviction, Mr. Hernandez has accepted responsibility and demonstrated exemplary rehabilitation while incarcerated. President Obama commuted Mr. Hernandez's sentence in 2013, and he was granted early termination of his supervised release in 2021 in recognition of his "exceptional" post-release conduct. 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. The mayor of his hometown, other city officials, colleagues, and community members uniformly attest to the change in Mr. Hernandez's character since his conviction, the significant contributions he's made to his community, and his humble, giving nature.
Beverly Holcy (Beverly Canty) - Palatka, Florida
Beverly Holcy is a 59-year-old woman who pleaded guilty to a non-violent drug offense committed at the age of 27. Had Ms. Holcy been sentenced under current law and sentencing practices today, she would have received a significantly lower sentence. Ms. Holcy successfully served her sentence and completed her probation obligations. Since her release, she has been fully employed, volunteers at her church, and assists in various community activities. Coworkers, friends, and neighbors describe her as honest, trustworthy, dependable, reliable, hardworking, and compassionate.
Jeffrey Alan Lewis - Douglasville, Georgia
Jeffrey Alan Lewis is a 58-year-old man who pleaded guilty to a non-violent drug offense at the age of 40. Had Mr. Lewis been sentenced under current law and sentencing practices today, he would have received a significantly shorter sentence. Mr. Lewis served his sentence and completed the obligations associated with his supervised release. Since his release, he has been consistently employed, contributes to the community through charitable works and active community engagement, and he has built a reputation as "a family man."
Bobby Darrell Lowery- Jackson, Mississippi
Bobby Darrell Lowery is a 50-year-old man who was convicted of a non-violent drug offense at the age of 25. He served his sentence and successfully completed the terms of his probation. Since his release, Mr. Lowery has maintained steady employment and actively volunteers at his church and at various community-based organizations. Friends and colleagues praise his work ethic, dedication to his family, and strong moral character.
Jesse Mosley- Ponchatoula, Louisiana
Jesse Mosley is a 42-year-old man who pleaded guilty to non-violent drug offenses at the age of 19. Had Mr. Mosley been sentenced under current law and sentencing practices today, he would have received a significantly lower sentence. He served his sentence and completed his supervised release. Since his release, Mr. Mosley started a business, manages rental properties, and works as a realtor. He is described as generous and deeply committed to his family, his employees, and his community. Mr. Mosley regularly donates to school and local police department fundraising events, provides groceries and other necessities to those in need, and supports new businesses.
Katrina Polk- Washington, D.C.
Dr. Katrina Polk is a 54-year-old woman who pleaded guilty to a non-violent drug offense at the age of 18. She successfully served her sentence and completed the terms of her supervised release. Since her release, Dr. Polk has furthered her education, including earning a PhD in public policy and administration. She has also engaged in extensive community service, locally and nationally, and is a respected advocate for the elderly. Colleagues, supervisors, friends, and community members uniformly praise her character and work ethic and consider her a role model, noting her demonstrated commitment to serving others.
Glenn Ray Royal - San Antonio, Texas
Glenn Ray Royal is a 49-year-old man who pleaded guilty to a non-violent drug offense committed at the age of 20. Had Mr. Mosley been sentenced under current law and sentencing practices today, he would have received a shorter sentence. He served his sentence and completed the terms of his supervised release. Since his release, he has earned two degrees and has steadily worked in the information technology field. He also serves as a mentor and coach for college students, assisting them with developing business plans, marketing plans, and websites. Friends and others attest to his trustworthiness and his dedication to his family and colleagues.
Alexis Sutton -New Haven, Connecticut
Alexis Sutton is a 33-year-old woman who pleaded guilty to a non-violent drug offense. Ms. Sutton received early termination of her probationary sentence. Since then, she has taken classes in hopes of earning her nursing degree and ultimately becoming a registered nurse. She is an active participant in her church. Colleagues, friends, and neighbors describe her as resilient, reliable, caring, hard-working, and a role model, and they note her devotion to her family and her studies.
Ricky Donnell Tyler- Columbia, South Carolina
Ricky Donnell Tyler is a 54-year-old man who was convicted of non-violent drug offenses. He was 26 years old at the time of sentencing. He served his sentence and completed the terms of his supervised release. Since his release, he has earned a Class A driver's license and has worked as a truck driver. In 2015, Mr. Tyler started his own business. He is dedicated to his family and mentors young people so that they might learn from his mistakes. His family and friends uniformly attest to his dedication to his work, family, and youth in his community.
Stacy Lynn Wilder- Albany, New York
Stacy Lynn Wilder is a 49-year-old woman who pleaded guilty to a non-violent drug offense. Had Ms. Wilder been sentenced under current law and sentencing practices today, she would have received a significantly lower sentence. She served her sentence and completed the terms of her supervised release. Since her release, she has worked as a payroll examiner and in related roles in state government, earning promotions and positive feedback from her supervisors. She contributes money and goods to organizations that support the unhoused, animals, and veterans. Community members and neighbors describe her as trustworthy, hard-working, good-hearted, and someone who is always willing to help others.
Pilar Alejandra Yelicie-Rodriguez - Fairfax, Virginia
Pilar Alejandra Yelicie-Rodriguez is a 48-year-old woman who pleaded guilty to a non-violent drug offense. She completed her sentence and the terms of her probation. Since her release, she has maintained steady work and has dedicated her time to her family and volunteered at her church. People describe her as reliable, loyal, and trustworthy, and uniformly commend her on being a devoted mother.
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. is commuting the sentences of the following five individuals:
Daequon Charles Davis - Johnson City, Tennessee
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute or to possess with intent to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine.
Sentence: 262 months of imprisonment; 10 years of supervised release (July 2017).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to a term of 120 months, leaving intact and in effect the 10-year term of supervised release with all its conditions and all other components of the sentence.
Jophaney Hyppolite - Miami, Florida
Offense: Conspiracy to manufacture and to possess with intent to distribute more than 280 grams cocaine base; distribution and aiding and abetting the distribution of cocaine base.
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years of supervised release (January 2013).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to a term of 360 months, leaving intact and in effect the 10-year term of supervised release with all its conditions and all other components of the sentence.
Xavier Martez Parnell - Clarksville, Tennessee
Offense: 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: 300 months of imprisonment; 10 years of supervised release (September 2012).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to a term of 210 months, leaving intact and in effect the 10-year term of supervised release with all its conditions and all other components of the sentence.
Leshay Nicole Rhoton - Bristol, Tennessee
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base and 5 kilograms or more of cocaine.
Sentence: 240 months of imprisonment; 10 years of supervised release (September 2013).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to a term of 150 months, leaving intact and in effect the 10-year term of supervised release with all its conditions and all other components of the sentence.
Margaret Ann Vandyke - Ellenville, New York
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance (crack cocaine).
Sentence: 60 months of imprisonment; three years of supervised release (January 2022).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on August 22, 2024, leaving intact and in effect the 3-year term of supervised release with all its conditions and all other components of the sentence.
