WASHINGTON (CN) — Five men convicted on drug and alcohol charges and a woman who killed her abusive husband received pardons from President Joe Biden on Friday.
Biden’s announcement on the last working day of 2022 continues his use of the pardon authority to absolve drug-related offenses. In April the president issued three pardons and commuted the sentences of 75 drug offenders. Biden then pardoned thousands of people convicted of marijuana possession in October. All but one of the people pardoned by Biden on Friday were convicted on drug or alcohol charges.
Beverly Ann Ibn-Tamas, the outlier among this group, killed her husband when she was 33 and pregnant. At trial, an expert on battered woman syndrome was barred from testifying, but she testified on her own behalf that her husband had a history of assaulting her and did so again in the moments before she shot him. Ibn-Tamas was sentenced to up to five years in prison.
Most of the people on Biden’s pardon list were very young at the time of their convictions. Charlie Byrnes Jackson was only 18 years old when he was involved in an illegal whiskey sale. Jackson was convicted of selling distilled spirits without tax stamps and sentenced to five years' probation. His conviction prevented him from enlisting in the military.
Vincente Ray Flores was only a year older than Jackson when he took drugs and alcohol while serving in the military. Flores pleaded guilty at a special court-martial and was sentenced to four months of confinement and wage and rank reductions.
Also on Biden’s pardon list is Gary Parks Davis who pleaded guilty to assisting in an illegal cocaine sale when he was 22 years old. Davis was sentenced to six months in the county jail, time he served on nights and weekends.
Edward Lincoln De Coito III and John Dix Nock III both pleaded guilty to marijuana offenses. Coito was a drug courier in a trafficking conspiracy, and Nock rented a facility to manufacture marijuana plants.
Biden’s pardon announcement touts the accolades of each recipient since their convictions. Flores is still an active-duty service member who has since been awarded various honors such as the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, the Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Meritorious Unit Award. Jackson contributes to his church community, helping members with his carpentry skills and renovating the church buildings.
Follow @KelseyReichmann
Subscribe to Closing Arguments
Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.
Additional Reads
-
-
California legislative committee approves deepfake bill April 23, 2024