President Obama Grants 79 More Commutations, Including Nine Florida Inmates

Published

10 years ago

November 22, 2016

WASHINGTON, D.C. (FNN NEWS) – Today, the President granted commutation of sentence to the following 79 individuals: (including nine inmates from Florida)

Lawrence Daro Adams – Houston, TX
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, aiding and abetting; Southern District of Texas
Sentence: 240 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release; $5,000 fine (July 20, 2001)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on March 22, 2017.

Tyrone Allen – Lubbock, TX
Offense: Aiding and abetting possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of cocaine base; Western District of Texas
Sentence: 240 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (March 25, 2003)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on November 22, 2018, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Anthony Arthur – Killeen, TX
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute at least 50 grams of “crack cocaine”; Western District of Texas
Sentence: 210 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release; $1,000 fine (August 3, 2005)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on March 22, 2017.

Lisa Woods Ball – Sugar Grove, VA
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine; Western District of Virginia
Sentence: 240 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (March 3, 2009)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 188 months’ imprisonment.

Curtis A. Beasley – Greer, SC
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five grams or more but less than 50 grams of crack cocaine; possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of crack cocaine; District of South Carolina
Sentence: 408 months’ imprisonment; eight years’ supervised release (August 16, 2004)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on March 22, 2017.

Efrem Berry – Americus, GA
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute a detectable amount of cocaine; possession with intent to distribute less than 50 kilograms of marijuana; possession with intent to distribute a detectable amount of 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine, aka MDMA; Middle District of Georgia
Sentence: 235 months’ imprisonment; six years’ supervised release (November 9, 2006)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 151 months’ imprisonment.

Albert Betemit – New York, NY
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute in excess of five kilograms of powder cocaine and 50 grams of cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute cocaine (three counts); distribution of cocaine; possession with intent to distribute in excess of 50 grams of cocaine base (two counts); distribution in excess of 50 grams of cocaine base (two counts); unlawful use of a communication facility; Eastern District of Virginia
Sentence: Life imprisonment; four years’ supervised release (September 25, 1996)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 300 months’ imprisonment.

Carroll Edgar Blevins, Jr. – Abingdon, VA
Offense:
1. Distribution of methamphetamine (two counts); Western District of Virginia
2. Supervised release violation (possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (two counts)); Western District of VirginiaSentence:
1. 188 months’ imprisonment; six years’ supervised release (November 3, 2006)
2. 51 months’ imprisonment (consecutive); one year’s supervised release (November 3, 2006)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on November 22, 2018, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Kerwin Blount – New Haven, CT
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine and cocaine base; District of Connecticut
Sentence: 292 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (May 18, 2000)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on November 22, 2018, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Tramiere Broughton – Clinton, IA
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine base (“crack”); Southern District of Iowa
Sentence: 240 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (October 3, 2002)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on March 22, 2017.

Thomas Brown – Miami, FL
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute at least five kilograms of cocaine; Southern District of Florida
Sentence: Life imprisonment (October 24, 1989)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on November 22, 2017.

Christopher Carlton Bryson – Davenport, IA
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin and marijuana, each a schedule I controlled substance, and cocaine and cocaine base (“crack”), each a schedule II controlled substance; money laundering; Southern District of Iowa
Sentence: 360 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (February 9, 2001)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on November 22, 2018, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Earl Cain – Springfield, MA
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base; District of Massachusetts
Sentence: 262 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (February 15, 2001)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on March 22, 2017.

Christopher Michael Calloway – Hampton, VA
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; Eastern District of Virginia
Sentence: 181 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (June 18, 2007); amended to 180 months’ imprisonment (June 9, 2008)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on March 22, 2017.

Jermaine Lewis Carter – Davenport, IA
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute at least 50 grams of cocaine base; Southern District of Iowa
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (April 24, 2009)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 180 months’ imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Jimmy Carter, Jr. – Montgomery, AL
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride (two counts); possession of cocaine hydrochloride; possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; Middle District of Alabama
Sentence: 360 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (September 23, 2003)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 240 months’ imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Mark Clifton – Brooklyn, NY
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (crack); possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (crack) and aiding and abetting; Eastern District of North Carolina
Sentence: 360 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release; $7,500 fine (May 28, 1997)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on November 22, 2018, and unpaid balance of $7,500 fine remitted, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Dewayne Damper – Fontana, CA
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute “crack” cocaine base; Southern District of Mississippi
Sentence: 360 months’ imprisonment; eight years’ supervised release; $4,500 fine (April 20, 1999); amended to 360 months’ imprisonment; six years’ supervised release; $4,500 fine (May 12, 2004)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on March 22, 2017.

Johnny Davis – Florence, SC
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of five kilograms or more of cocaine and 50 grams or more of cocaine base, commonly known as crack cocaine; District of South Carolina
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (February 4, 2004)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on November 22, 2018, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Roy Edward Detreville, Jr. – Winter Garden, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of crack cocaine; Middle District of Florida
Sentence: 262 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (February 8, 2005)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on March 22, 2017.

Luis Diaz – Winter Park, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin, and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride; Middle District of Florida
Sentence: Life imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (July 25, 1996); amended to 360 months’ imprisonment (July 1, 2015)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on March 22, 2017.

William Henry Dudley – Atlanta, GA
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing cocaine base; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; Northern District of Florida
Sentence: 240 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release; $1,000 fine (April 27, 2006)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on November 22, 2018, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Reginald Leon Edwards – Chatham, VA
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; Western District of Virginia
Sentence: 181 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release; $400 fine (August 3, 2007); amended to 180 months’ imprisonment (October 22, 2008)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on November 22, 2018, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Timothy John Ehrmann – Minneapolis, MN
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and ecstasy; aiding and abetting to distribute ecstasy (two counts); aiding and abetting to distribute methamphetamine (three counts); possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; District of Minnesota
Sentence: 360 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (March 5, 2004); amended to 292 months’ imprisonment (September 12, 2016)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 228 months’ imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

P.W. Ferguson – Columbia, SC
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of 50 grams or more of cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute and distribution of a quantity of cocaine base, aiding and abetting; District of South Carolina
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (May 31, 2007)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on November 22, 2018, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Darryl D. Fields – Harvey, IL
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of crack cocaine; Northern District of Iowa
Sentence: 240 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (June 8, 2009)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on November 22, 2018, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Timothy Fields – Mesquite, TX
Offense: Conspiracy; possession with intent to distribute controlled substance, aiding and abetting (three counts); use and carry firearm during drug trafficking crime; Northern District of Texas
Sentence: Life plus 60 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (February 16, 1994)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 465 months’ imprisonment.

Tyris Ford – Philadelphia, PA
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine base (“crack”); distribution of cocaine base (“crack”) or possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack”); carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime; Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Sentence: 300 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (January 5, 2001)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on March 22, 2017.

Eric Cornell Foster – Bladensburg, MD
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine; Eastern District of Michigan
Sentence: Life imprisonment (December 11, 2007)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 175 months’ imprisonment.

Osvaldo Richard Gonzalez – Sylmar, CA
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; possession of firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense; Southern District of Iowa
Sentence: 180 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (September 7, 2007)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on March 22, 2017.

Jamere Ireadus Hall – Kissimmee, FL
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base; felon in possession of firearm; District of Maryland
Sentence: 360 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (August 1, 2005)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 210 months’ imprisonment.

Avery Hardy – Smithville, GA
Offense: Possession with the intent to distribute more than 50 grams of crack cocaine; Middle District of Georgia
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (January 12, 2006)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on November 22, 2018, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Donikki Hardy – Pacolet, SC
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine; District of South Carolina
Sentence: 480 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (November 26, 2002); amended to 300 months’ imprisonment (October 28, 2008); amended to 299 months’ imprisonment (February 5, 2014)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on March 22, 2017.

William Crawford Hardy, III – Roanoke, VA
Offense: Distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base; Western District of Virginia
Sentence: 240 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (February 7, 2006)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on March 22, 2017.

Robert Jeffrey Harris – Fort Walton Beach, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base; Northern District of Florida
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (December 12, 2006)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 210 months’ imprisonment.

Jeff Hendricks – Seagoville, TX
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine; conspiracy to possess a List I chemical to manufacture methamphetamine; Northern District of Texas
Sentence: 360 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (May 9, 2002); amended to 324 months’ imprisonment (April 1, 2016)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on November 22, 2018, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Warren Lavell Jackson – Port St. Lucie, FL
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute cocaine; Southern District of Florida
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (March 7, 2000)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 300 months’ imprisonment.

Timothy Johnson – Georgetown, SC
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime; District of South Carolina
Sentence: 180 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (February 28, 2006)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on March 22, 2017.

Paul Kinney – Anaheim, CA
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute in excess of 500 grams of methamphetamine; Eastern District of Missouri
Sentence: 235 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (April 19, 2006); amended to 210 months’ imprisonment (December 19, 2014)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on November 22, 2018, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Daniel Lee Larsen – West Valley City, UT
Offense: Possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute; conspiracy or attempt to manufacture methamphetamine (two counts); establishment of a manufacture operation; possession of a listed chemical (two counts); possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense; District of Utah
Sentence: 384 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release; $2,000 restitution (January 7, 2002)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 270 months’ imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Darrius Lewis – McComb, MS
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine base; Southern District of Mississippi
Sentence: 262 months’ imprisonment; three years’ supervised release (May 20, 2005)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 188 months’ imprisonment.

Robert Lum – Waimanalo, HI
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute in excess of 50 grams of methamphetamine; District of Hawaii
Sentence: 240 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (November 28, 2005)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on November 22, 2018, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Karliss Lyttle – St. Louis, MO
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of cocaine base; distribution of less than five grams of cocaine base (two counts); Southern District of Illinois
Sentence: 240 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release; $500 fine (April 22, 2004)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on November 22, 2018, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Ryan W. Magro – Dunstable, MA
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance; District of Massachusetts
Sentence: 180 months’ imprisonment; three years’ supervised release (May 22, 2007)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on March 22, 2017.

Orlando Keith McCord – Flint, MI
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of cocaine base; Eastern District of Michigan
Sentence: 180 months’ imprisonment; eight years’ supervised release (April 19, 2007)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on November 22, 2018, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Donna Sue McDaniel – Boyd, TX
Offense: Distribution of 219.6 grams of methamphetamine; Northern District of Texas
Sentence: 360 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (September 27, 1996)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on March 22, 2017.

John E. McNeill – Washington, DC
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of phencyclidine, commonly known as PCP; conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of phencyclidine, commonly known as PCP; District of Kansas
Sentence: 240 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (February 23, 2004)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on November 22, 2018, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Frantz Michel – Brooklyn, NY
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin, cocaine, and cocaine base; Eastern District of Virginia
Sentence: Life imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (January 31, 2003); amended to 300 months’ imprisonment (November 1, 2011); amended to 235 months’ imprisonment (November 2, 2015)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on March 22, 2017.

Vernard Mitchell – Washington, DC
Offense: Unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a person convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year; unlawful possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of cocaine base; unlawful possession with intent to distribute heroin; unlawful possession with intent to distribute cannabis; District of Columbia
Sentence: 262 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (March 30, 2007)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 210 months’ imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Robert L. Moffitt – Fort Worth, TX
Offense: Conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine base; distribution of cocaine base; maintaining a drug-involved premises (two counts); Northern District of Texas
Sentence: 360 months’ imprisonment; six years’ supervised release (April 10, 2006); amended to 292 months’ imprisonment (January 12, 2012)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 180 months’ imprisonment.

Ward Everette Mohler – Linville, VA
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine; distribution of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (three counts); carry firearm during drug trafficking (two counts); possession of firearm by a convicted felon (two counts); distribution of methamphetamine (nine counts); Western District of Virginia
Sentence: 469 months’ imprisonment; three years’ supervised release (April 23, 1992); amended to 436 months’ imprisonment (March 18, 2016)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on December 22, 2016.

Michael Toriano Morris – Charlotte, NC
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute cocaine and cocaine base; Western District of North Carolina
Sentence: 360 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (August 19, 2004); amended to 292 months’ imprisonment (November 23, 2015)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on March 22, 2017.

Jerry Lee Mutchler – Riverton, IA
Offense: Conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine; Southern District of Iowa
Sentence: 240 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (February 4, 2005)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on November 22, 2018, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Victor Robert Nava, Sr. – Billings, MT
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and marijuana; distribution of marijuana; possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute; distribution of hydrocodone; possession of morphine with intent to distribute; possession of codeine with intent to distribute; District of Montana
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (May 22, 2002)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 270 months’ imprisonment.

Cathy Lea Neal – Council Bluffs, IA
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine mixture and 50 grams or more of actual (pure) methamphetamine; Northern District of Iowa
Sentence: 240 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised (September 24, 2009)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 21, 2017.

Jose Otero – Worcester, MA
Offense: Possession of cocaine with intent to distribute; District of Massachusetts
Sentence: 262 months’ imprisonment; eight years’ supervised release (June 29, 2006)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on November 22, 2018, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Tilman Rufus Partin – Frakes, KY
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine; possession with intent to distribute cocaine, aiding and abetting; Eastern District of Kentucky
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (October 10, 1997)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 324 months’ imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Mario A. Powell – Kansas City, MO
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of “crack” cocaine; Western District of Missouri
Sentence: 240 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (April 16, 2009)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on November 22, 2018, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Roosevelt Terence Jerome Rayford – Sherman, TX
Offense: Conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, possess, or dispense cocaine base (crack) or marijuana; Eastern District of Texas
Sentence: 326 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release; $2,000 fine (July 1, 2003); amended to 300 months’ imprisonment (April 29, 2004)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 188 months’ imprisonment.

Eddie James Reed – Albany, GA
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of cocaine base; Middle District of Georgia
Sentence: 262 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (February 28, 2008)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on November 22, 2018, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Jose Rodriguez – Camden, NJ
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin and more than 50 grams of cocaine base; District of New Jersey
Sentence: 360 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release; $10,000 fine (April 27, 2006); amended to 235 months’ imprisonment (August 28, 2015)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on March 22, 2017 and unpaid balance of the $10,000 fine remitted.

Cynthia Valdez Shank – Lansing, MI
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute more than five kilograms of powder cocaine, 50 grams of cocaine base, and/or 1,000 kilograms of marijuana; possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine; possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base (crack cocaine); possession with intent to distribute 40 pounds of marijuana; Western District of Michigan
Sentence: 180 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release; $10,000 fine (February 29, 2008)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on March 22, 2017, and unpaid balance of the $10,000 fine remitted.

Artis Sherman – Allen, TX
Offense: Conspiracy in the possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of crack cocaine; Western District of Texas
Sentence: 300 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (November 30, 2007)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on November 22, 2018, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Carnell Smith – Hazel Crest, IL
Offense:
1. Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute mixtures containing cocaine; Northern District of Illinois
2. Possession of a prohibited object by a prison inmate; Eastern District of Arkansas
Sentence:
1. 262 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (February 11, 2001)
2. Seven months’ imprisonment (consecutive) (January 5, 2012)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on March 22, 2017.

Marco Strickland – Detroit, MI
Offense: Attempted possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance; Eastern District of Michigan
Sentence: Life imprisonment (October 24, 2007)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to 168 months’ imprisonment.

Tony Taylor – Dunn, NC
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base (crack); distribution and possession with intent to distribute more than five grams of cocaine base (crack) (five counts); distribution and possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of cocaine base (crack); Eastern District of North Carolina
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (December 4, 2007)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 293 months’ imprisonment.

Deborah Theeler – Sioux City, IA
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine mixture and 50 grams or more of actual (pure) methamphetamine following two prior felony convictions; Northern District of Iowa
Sentence: 240 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (September 18, 2007)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on November 22, 2018, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Damarlon Cenaka Thomas – Saginaw, MI
Offense: Distribution of five grams or more of cocaine base; Eastern District of Michigan
Sentence: 230 months’ imprisonment; eight years’ supervised release (November 20, 2008)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on March 22, 2017.

Dexter Bert Tyson – Orlando, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a mixture containing cocaine base and a mixture containing cocaine; possession with intent to distribute a mixture containing cocaine base and cocaine, aiding and abetting; possession with intent to distribute a mixture containing cocaine, aiding and abetting (two counts); possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, aiding and abetting; possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, aiding and abetting, felon in possession of a firearm; felon in possession of ammunition; District of Maryland
Sentence: Life plus 60 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (January 13, 2006)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 300 months’ imprisonment.

Lavan Maurice Walker – Miami, FL
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute a detectable amount of heroin (two counts); possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; Southern District of Florida
Sentence: 420 months’ imprisonment; six years’ supervised release (March 9, 2004)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on March 22, 2017.

Jamie Warfield – Cape Girardeau, MO
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (two counts); possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; Eastern District of Missouri
Sentence: 180 months’ imprisonment; eight years’ supervised release (July 20, 2005)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 21, 2017

Lamar Webster – Concord, CA
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine; possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; money laundering conspiracy; money laundering; District of Montana
Sentence: Life imprisonment (April 17, 2009)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 240 months’ imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Sterling Kenneth Westberry – Pensacola, FL
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base; Northern District of Florida
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (September 15, 1998)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on March 22, 2017.

Travis L. Wilken – Midvale, UT
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of actual methamphetamine; District of Utah
Sentence: 235 months’ imprisonment; eight years’ supervised release (February 2, 2006)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on November 22, 2018, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Derrick Maurice Williams – Durham, NC
Offense: Possessed with intent to distribute cocaine base (crack); Middle District of North Carolina
Sentence: 262 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (November 2, 2000)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 21, 2017.

Jacobi Lamont Williams – Greensboro, NC
Offense: Distributed cocaine base (crack); Middle District of North Carolina
Sentence: 262 months’ imprisonment; eight years’ supervised release (August 24, 2006)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 188 months’ imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Nelson Williams – Hammond, LA
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (two counts); distribution of cocaine base; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; Eastern District of Louisiana
Sentence: 240 months’ imprisonment; eight years’ supervised release (July 21, 2004)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on March 22, 2017.

Darvell D. York – Chicago, IL
Offense: Delivery of a controlled substance; Northern District of Illinois
Sentence: 360 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (January 8, 2007)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 240 months’ imprisonment.

Myron Young – Louisville, KY
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base; Western District of Kentucky
Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (July 20, 2010)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 240 months’ imprisonment.

Florida Governor Candidates: Donalds Spent Longer as a Democrat; Jolly Reports Longer Republican History

Published

2 days ago

October 11, 2026

FNN NEWS

Byron Donalds, left, and David Jolly, right, pictured in separate portraits with American flags behind them.

Party changes and congressional votes offer a closer look at both candidates’ records on issues affecting Black Americans.

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Republican Byron Donalds spent nearly seven years as a registered Democrat—longer than Democrat David Jolly’s approximately 18 months in the party. Jolly, however, reports having spent 25 years as a Republican, exceeding Donalds’ approximately 16½ years.

The two major-party candidates for Florida governor have political histories that cross party lines. Their congressional votes offer another basis for scrutiny: Jolly supported repealing the Affordable Care Act, while Donalds opposed major voting-rights and police-accountability proposals. Both also supported other legislation relevant to Black communities.

Why This Article Matters to Voters

Voters can examine previous decisions in public office alongside campaign promises. Party affiliation identifies a political association; legislative records show how candidates acted on specific proposals.

The measures examined here concern health insurance, employment opportunities, voting discrimination, police accountability and racial violence. These issues affect African Americans and the wider electorate, making the candidates’ records relevant to voters deciding who should lead Florida.

Who Spent Longer in Each Party?

Donalds was registered as a Democrat in Collier County from April 2003 until March 2010, according to Florida Politics. He then became a Republican. Jolly left the Republican Party in September 2018, became an unaffiliated voter and registered as a Democrat in April 2025.

Candidate	Time as a Democrat	Time as a Republican
Byron Donalds	Approximately 6 years, 11 months, April 2003–March 2010	Approximately 16 years, 7 months, March 2010–October 2026
David Jolly	Approximately 1 year, 6 months, April 2025–October 2026	25 years, according to his account, before leaving in September 2018

Durations are approximate as of Oct. 11, 2026. Jolly’s 25-year Republican history was reported by WUSF; his original Republican registration date was not independently verified for this comparison.

Donalds’ documented Democratic registration exceeds Jolly’s by approximately five years and five months. Jolly’s stated Republican history exceeds Donalds’ by approximately eight years.

Jolly’s Defeat, Party Change and Return to Electoral Politics

Jolly lost his 2016 congressional reelection bid as a Republican to Democrat Charlie Crist in Florida’s 13th Congressional District. Published election results show Crist received 184,693 votes to Jolly’s 171,149, winning by 13,544 votes.

Crist, a former Republican governor, had already moved from Republican to independent to Democrat. Jolly later followed the same sequence, although that does not establish identical motivations. Reporting republished on Jolly’s campaign website described his departure from the Republican Party as a response to its direction under Donald Trump.

Jolly declined to endorse Trump in 2016, according to Sunshine State News. PolitiFact subsequently found that a Democratic campaign advertisement portraying Jolly as a Trump ally was inaccurate.

After considering but declining another congressional run in 2018, as reported by Roll Call, Jolly returned to electoral politics with his governor campaign. He registered as a Democrat in April 2025, roughly six weeks before announcing his candidacy June 5—more than a year before the 2026 election.

Different Congressional Terms, Relevant Policy Questions

Official congressional biographies show that Jolly served in Congress from March 2014 through Jan. 3, 2017, during President Barack Obama’s administration. His service ended before Trump’s first inauguration. Donalds entered Congress in January 2021 after serving in the Florida House from 2016 through 2020.

Their congressional terms did not overlap, so this comparison examines different bills rather than votes they cast together.

Both served as Republicans during the votes examined below. Their subsequent or previous party affiliations do not change those legislative records.

Jolly Supported ACA Repeal and Workforce Training

Official U.S. House Clerk records show that Jolly voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act on Feb. 3, 2015. The proposal did not become law, but his vote supported removing a framework that expanded health insurance access for African Americans.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the uninsured rate among nonelderly Black Americans fell from 20.9% in 2010 to 10.8% in 2022 following implementation of the ACA’s coverage provisions. Those gains make health coverage relevant to examining repeal proposals, without establishing that Jolly’s unsuccessful repeal vote caused anyone to lose insurance.

House Clerk records also show that Jolly supported the final House agreement to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act on July 9, 2014. The legislation supported training and employment services for people facing employment barriers, including eligible Black workers and young people. Its programs serve people across racial groups, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Donalds Opposed Voting-Rights and Policing Bills, Backed Antilynching Measure

House Clerk records show that Donalds voted against the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act on Aug. 24, 2021. The proposal sought stronger federal safeguards against racial discrimination in voting, including renewed requirements for certain jurisdictions to obtain approval before changing election practices.

On March 3, 2021, Donalds voted against the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. The congressional bill summary describes proposed protections against racial profiling and changes to police accountability.

In a statement published by his congressional office, Donalds defended his opposition by arguing that the measure would defund and dismantle policing. That was his characterization of the proposal, whose provisions included measures addressing racial profiling and constitutional violations by law enforcement.

Donalds voted for the Emmett Till Antilynching Act on Feb. 28, 2022, according to House Clerk records, supporting federal legislation addressing lynching through hate-crime law—a measure with particular historical significance for African Americans.

What Voters Can Assess

These selected votes document Jolly’s support for ACA repeal and workforce opportunities, and Donalds’ opposition to major voting-rights and policing proposals alongside support for antilynching legislation.

They do not establish discriminatory intent or determine whose entire record benefited African Americans more. That would require a broader review of policies and measurable outcomes, including Donalds’ Florida legislative record.

Donalds spent longer as a documented registered Democrat, while Jolly reports a longer Republican history. Both cast the congressional votes examined here as Republicans.

Either Major-Party Candidate Would Bring a Republican History

If either of the two major-party candidates wins, Florida’s next governor will bring a substantial Republican history to office—Donalds as a current Republican and Jolly as a former Republican congressman now running as a Democrat. Voters can weigh those histories alongside their legislative records, current positions and plans for Florida.

Central Florida News

Commissioner Uribe Announces New Date for Hispanic Heritage Festival Due to Weather

Published

4 days ago

October 9, 2026

FNN NEWS

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Commissioner Uribe announced that the Hispanic Heritage Festival has been rescheduled due to weather conditions. The event will now take place Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, from 9 a.m. to noon at Cypress Grove Park, 290 Holden Ave., Orlando.

The festival will celebrate the rich history, cultures, traditions and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities through live music, dance performances, food and community resources.

Scheduled highlights include:

Live music by youth orchestra The Nucleus Orchestral.
Dance performances featuring Maria Saavedra of FusionFest with Huellas de Colombia, Unidos for Ecuador and Mexico Dansa.
Food from Zaza.
Community resources from 311 and other participants.

Join Commissioner Uribe and the community for a morning celebrating Hispanic and Latino heritage.

NEW DATE: Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026
TIME: 9 a.m. to noon
LOCATION: Cypress Grove Park
ADDRESS: 290 Holden Ave., Orlando, FL 32839

Florida

FNN PERSPECTIVE | Byron Donalds Visits ONYX Gala in Orlando: Could Orange County Help Him Win Florida’s Governor’s Race?

Published

5 days ago

October 8, 2026

FNN NEWS

ONYX Magazine CEO and Publisher Rich Black, left, with U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds at the Men of Honor Awards in Orlando.

ONYX Magazine CEO and Publisher Rich Black, left, and U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, the Republican nominee for Florida governor, at ONYX Magazine’s Men of Honor Awards in Orlando on Oct. 3, 2026. Photo courtesy of ONYX Magazine’s Facebook page.

Democratic crossover endorsements provide context. Orange County’s vote margin could help shape the contest between Donalds and David Jolly.

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Republican gubernatorial nominee Byron Donalds’ appearance at ONYX Magazine’s Men of Honor Gala in Orlando raises a broader electoral question: Could crossover support in Democratic-leaning Orange County help him reach the governor’s mansion?

Source: ONYX Magazine Facebook Page

Donalds and Democratic opponent David Jolly attended the Oct. 3 celebration at the Rosen Centre Hotel, according to Hoodline reporting citing the Orlando Sentinel. The gathering brought together elected officials, business executives, educators and community leaders to recognize leadership, achievement and service. Source: Hoodline

Organizers emphasized that the candidates’ attendance did not constitute an endorsement. Among the honorees was Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, selected for a lifetime achievement award. Source: Jacksonville Free Press

Orange County, home to Orlando, provides a setting for examining both candidates’ electoral prospects. Its history includes prominent Democrats backing Republicans, while its Democratic vote margins illustrate how the county can contribute to the statewide outcome.

Republican gubernatorial nominee Byron Donalds, left, and Gainesville City Commissioner Cynthia Moore Chestnut, a longtime Democrat who endorsed Donalds for governor.

Donalds Has Secured a Democratic Crossover Endorsement

Gainesville City Commissioner Cynthia Moore Chestnut, a registered Democrat, endorsed Donalds over Jolly in September, according to WCJB. She cited Black representation, dissatisfaction with the Democratic ticket and support for historically Black colleges and universities, while acknowledging disagreements with some of Donalds’ policies. Source: WCJB

Chestnut subsequently introduced Donalds at a University of Florida town hall, emphasizing access to his office and fair consideration of Gainesville’s needs. Source: WCJB

Her endorsement raises a question about whether other Democrats, including those with conservative or moderate views, might support Donalds. However, her stated reasons do not establish a broader ideological shift. Dissatisfaction with party leadership or progressive positions does not automatically translate into Republican votes.

Source: Winter Park Voice

Orange County Democrats Have Backed Republicans Before

Democratic Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer endorsed Republican state Rep. Mike Miller against Democrat Beth Tuura in the 2016 Florida House District 47 election — a partisan legislative contest. Source: Florida Politics

In the nonpartisan 2024 Orange County Commission District 5 race, Dyer endorsed Republican former Winter Park Mayor Steve Leary. Winter Park Voice also identified former Democratic state Sen. Gary Siplin, former Orange County Commissioner Victoria Siplin and Winter Park Commissioner Craig Russell as Democratic supporters of Leary. Source: Winter Park Voice

Dyer’s Orlando PAC contributed $4,000 to Neighbors for a Sensible Orange County, the political committee chaired by Leary, according to Winter Park Voice’s reporting on campaign finance filings. The committee also promoted Leary alongside Democratic candidates. This was financial support between political committees, rather than a personal donation by Dyer or a direct contribution to Leary’s candidate account. Source: Winter Park Voice

Former Orange County Chair Linda Chapin encouraged Democrats to support Republican Teresa Jacobs’ 2014 reelection campaign for county mayor while Democrat Val Demings was challenging her. Source: Orlando Weekly

Dyer and Orlando Commissioner Tony Ortiz also endorsed Republican Commissioner Jim Gray in the 2025 Orlando election. Ortiz had switched from Republican to Democrat earlier that year. Source: Orlando Weekly

These examples document individual cross-party support across different elections. They do not establish that those leaders endorse Donalds.

“The largest Puerto Rican population in Florida” has not been verified. “A large Puerto Rican community” preserves the context without asserting an unsupported ranking.

Then-state Rep. Daisy Morales, D-Orlando, sits at her district office in Orange County, Florida. Morales represented House District 48 from 2020 to 2022 and sponsored or co-sponsored more than 110 bipartisan bills that became law.

Montilla and Morales: Participation, Endorsements and Party Enforcement

Republican attorney Joel Antonio Montilla’s 2024 Orange County Commission campaign provides additional context about political participation and disputes over party loyalty.

Former Democratic state Rep. Daisy Morales participated on Montilla’s non-partisan campaign-launch host committee for Orange County Commissioner. Montilla separately confirmed to Florida Politics that Morales did not endorse his candidacy. Source: Florida Politics

Morales brings a record of electoral success in Orange County. In 2018, she won countywide reelection to the Orange County Soil and Water Conservation District board with 256,342 votes. In 2020, she defeated four opponents in the Democratic primary, including Samuel Vilchez Santiago, before defeating Republican Jesus Martinez in the general election to win Florida House District 48, a majority-Hispanic district with a large Puerto Rican community. Official general-election results show she received 47,341 votes, or 65.3%.

Morales alleges that Orange County’s Democratic establishment, including Vilchez Santiago, her 2026 House District 43 primary opponent and former Orange County Democratic Party chair, targeted her over an alleged violation of party endorsement rules while treating prominent Democrats who supported Republican candidates differently. She characterizes that treatment as selective enforcement in a defamation lawsuit filed in Orange County.

The documented crossover endorsements provide context for her allegation, but determining whether party rules were applied unevenly requires comparing the applicable rules, circumstances and disciplinary decisions in each case.

Endorsements, financial contributions, campaign management and host-committee participation represent distinct activities. Those distinctions matter when evaluating both crossover support and allegations of inconsistent party enforcement. Morales’ participation in Montilla’s event does not establish support for Donalds.

U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, left, the Republican nominee for Florida governor, and former U.S. Rep. David Jolly, the Democratic nominee.

Orange County: A Gateway to the Governor’s Mansion?

Orange County’s influence rests on the votes it contributes and the advantage it delivers to either candidate.

In the 2018 governor’s election, Democrat Andrew Gillum received 296,257 votes in Orange County, compared with Republican Ron DeSantis’ 174,228 — a Democratic advantage of 122,029 votes. DeSantis nevertheless won statewide by 32,463 votes. Source: Florida Division of Elections

The county also voted Democratic in the 2024 presidential election. Kamala Harris received 340,807 votes, while Donald Trump received 258,279, giving Harris an 82,528-vote advantage. Source: Florida Division of Elections

The elections involved different offices, candidates and turnout conditions. Their results provide historical context rather than a forecast for the governor’s race.

Neither Donalds nor Jolly must win Orange County to win Florida. The margin is what matters. A smaller Democratic advantage would improve Donalds’ statewide position, assuming results elsewhere remained unchanged. A larger advantage for Jolly could help offset Republican strength in other counties.

Changes in that margin could reflect turnout, crossover voting or choices by voters without a party affiliation. County totals alone cannot establish how many Democrats voted Republican.

Will Community Engagement Translate Into Votes?

The ONYX gala placed both candidates before a community gathering outside a conventional partisan campaign event. Whether such appearances generate support will depend on voters’ assessments of their records, proposals and priorities.

Endorsements have limits. Gray lost his 2025 reelection bid to Democrat Tom Keen despite Dyer’s backing and a fundraising advantage. Source: Florida Politics

Chestnut’s endorsement provides a documented example of Democratic support for Donalds. Polling and voter interviews would be needed to determine whether comparable support exists in Orange County and how significant it might be.

For Donalds, making a sustained case to Black voters would require addressing the issues they identify as priorities, including housing costs, economic opportunity, education, health care and public safety. Community appearances create opportunities to hear those concerns and explain specific proposals; electoral support depends on whether voters find the answers persuasive.

A Donalds victory would make him Florida’s first Black governor. Orange County could help shape the outcome through the Democratic advantage Jolly builds or the margin Donalds narrows.

What would most influence your choice for Florida’s next governor: party affiliation, the candidate’s record or specific policy proposals — and why?