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April 24 (UPI) -- President Joe Biden said Wednesday he's using his clemency powers to pardon 11 people and commute the sentences of 5 others who were convicted of non-violent drug offenses. "Like my other clemency actions, these pardons and commutations reflect my overarching commitment to addressing racial disparities and improving public safety," Biden said in a statement.
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Jason Hernandez, 47, of McKinney, Texas, was pardoned for several non-violent drug offenses and now runs a nonprofit that transformed the storefront where he used to sell drugs into an affordable food market.
The White House said Beverly Holcy, 59, of Palatka, Fla., got her pardon for a non-violent drug offense she committed at age 27. She successfully served her sentence and has been fully employed since her release, described by friends, neighbors and co-workers as "honest, trustworthy and compassionate."
Bobby Darrell Lower of Jackson, Miss., got his pardon for a non-violent drug offense when he was 25. Loweer, 50, also served his sentence and has maintained steady employment since his release while volunteering at his church and community organizations.
Jeff Mosley, 42, of Ponchatoula, La., pleaded guilty to non-violent drug offenses at 19. After serving his sentence he started a business and works as a realtor. He regularly donates to local school and police department fundraising and helps provide food and other necessities to people in need.
Katrina Polk, 54, of Washington, D.C., has earned a PhD in public policy and administration after completing her sentence for a non-violent drug offense she committed when she was 18. She is also an advocate for the elderly and has engaged in extensive community service.
Glenn Ray Royal, a 49-year-old from San Antonio, Texas, has earned two degrees and works steadily in the information technology field. He pleaded guilty at age 20 to a non-violent drug offense.
Alexis Sutton, 33, of New Haven, Conn., got early termination of a probationary drug offense sentence. She is taking classes to become a registered nurse and is active in her church.
Ricky Donnell-Tyler, 54, lives in Columbia, S.C., and was convicted of non-violent drug offenses when he was 26. He has worked as a truck driver since completing his sentence and started his own business in 2015.
Stacy Lynn Wilder, a 49-year-old from Albany, N.Y., has worked as a payroll examiner and in related roles in state government since completing her non-violent drug offense sentence.
Pilar Alejandra Yelicie-Rodriguez, 48, of Fairfax, Va., has maintained steady work while volunteering at her church since completing her sentence. She is described by people who know her as "reliable, loyal, trustworthy and a devoted mother."
The White House said President Biden is commuting the sentences of five people.
Daequon Charles Davis of Johnson City, Tenn., got his July 2017 sentence commuted from 262 months to 120 months for conspiracy to distribute or to possess 280 grams or more of cocaine.
Jophaney Hyppolite of Miami, Fla., got life in prison in January 2013 for conspiracy to manufacture and to possess with intent to distribute more than 280 grams of cocaine base; distribution and aiding and abetting the distribution of cocaine base. That sentence was commuted to a 360-month term with 10 years of supervised release left intact.
Xavier Martez Parnell of Clarksville, Tenn., got 300 months in September 2012 for cocaine distribution conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute, including more than 500 grams of cocaine and 280 grams or more of cocaine base. His sentence was commuted to 210 months leaving 10 years of supervised release intact.
Leshay Nicole Rhoton of Bristol, Tenn., got her September 2013 240-month cocaine sentence commuted to 150 months, with 10 years of supervised release.
Margaret Ann Vandyke of Ellenville, N.Y., had her January 2022 60-month prison sentence for conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine commuted to expire August 22, 2024. Her 3 year supervised release was left intact.
