Obama pardons five people and commuted one individual's sentence!

Politico is reporting that, "President Obama granted five pardons and commuted one individual's sentence for distribution of cocaine, according to a White House press release. Those pardoned were incarcerated for charges ranging from distribution of illegal drugs to running an illegal gambling business."

The White House press release below:

• *Lesley Claywood Berry Jr.* ­- Loretto, Ky.

"Offense": Conspiracy to manufacture, possess with intent to distribute, and distribute marijuana, 21 U.S.C. §§ 841 and 846.

"Sentence": April 29, 1988; District of Minnesota; three years in prison.

• *Dennis George Bulin* - Wesley Chapel, Fla.

"Offense": Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute in excess of 1,000 pounds of marijuana, 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 846 and 18 U.S.C. § 2.

"Sentence": March 10, 1987; Middle District of Alabama; five years of probation and $20,000 fine.

• *Ricky Dale Collett* - Annville, Ky.

"Offense": Aiding and abetting in the manufacture of 61 marijuana plants, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and 18 U.S.C. § 2.

"Sentence": March 7, 2002; Eastern District of Kentucky; one year of probation conditioned on 60 days of home detention.

• *Martin Kaprelian* - Park Ridge, Ill.

"Offense": Conspiracy to transport stolen property in interstate commerce, 18 U.S.C. § 371; transporting stolen property in interstate commerce, 18 U.S.C. § 2314; concealing stolen property that was transported in interstate commerce, 18 U.S.C. § 2315.

"Sentence": Feb. 1, 1984; Northern District of Illinois; nine years in prison, five years of probation.

• *Thomas Paul Ledford* - Jonesborough, Tenn.

"Offense": Conducting and directing an illegal gambling business, 18 U.S.C. § 1955.

"Sentence": June 12, 1995; Eastern District of Tennessee; one year of probation conditioned on performance of 100 hours of community service.

COMMUTATION:

• *Eugenia Marie Jennings* - Alton, Ill.

"Offense": Distribution of cocaine base, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1).

"Sentence": Feb. 23, 2001; Southern District of Illinois; 262 months in prison, eight years of supervised release, $1,750 fine.

"Terms of commutation": Prison sentence to expire on Dec. 21, 2011, leaving intact and in effect the eight-year term of supervised release with all its conditions and all other components of the sentence.

What do you think?  Leave your comments!