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Bush Pardons 15 Convicts, Commutes 1 Prison Sentence
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
WASHINGTON - The Justice Department announced Tuesday that President Bush
has issued 15 new pardons and commuted one prison sentence.
All 15 pardons were for men who were convicted of non-violent and mostly
minor offenses, some dating back decades. Among the convictions were drug
possession and distribution, illegal firearms dealing, false housing
statements and wildlife infractions.
The single commutation announced Tuesday was for a Portsmouth, Va., woman
convicted of attempted drug distribution. Patricia Beckford was sentenced in
1992 to 23 years in federal prison for conspiracy and attempt to distribute
more than 50 grams of crack cocaine. Following the president's order,
however, Beckford will get out early. Her release is now set for July 24,
2008.
A five-year term of supervised release for Beckford will stand, officials
said. While a pardon lifts many of the non-prison-related sanctions of a
conviction - which can include the right to vote if a state does not have a
specific rule preventing it from being lifted - a commutation only provides
for early prison release. Beckford also was fined $10,000.
Getting a presidential pardon doesn't necessarily require a $1,000 an hour
lawyer and a tight friendship with the White House. One pardon recipient
said he learned Tuesday morning he had been pardoned for a conviction he
received in the 1990s.
The man pardoned - who didn't want to be identified by name because he
believed his public image would be damaged by discussing the case - said he
didn't have a high-priced lawyer, or any lawyer for that matter. He simply
submitted paperwork to the Justice Department about four years ago, and
waited and waited.
Finally, he got the call on Tuesday.
"I feel like this is the first time I've been in control of my own future"
since the conviction, the pardon recipient told FOXNews.com.
He said he has been rejected from jobs before because of the conviction, to
which he always admitted on job applications. He said that one time, he was
released on the first day of a job after management changed its mind about
his hire.
"I have a good job. I have a well-paying job. But it was one I felt I could
never leave. I felt trapped," he said.
He also lost his right to vote and the right to carry a firearm. He said he
couldn't care less about the firearm, "but I want my right to vote back."
At the moment, no plans are in the works to celebrate, he said, but he will
be researching more about what freedoms the pardon gives him, and took the
opportunity to advocate for better education so people can prevent getting
into situations like his own.
"Our kids need it. They can't go anywhere without it. ... If they're not
given a proper education, and ultimately, they will be a victim of their
circumstances for the wrong reasons because they won't have any way out."
A White House spokesman did not immediately return an e-mail seeking
comment, and the Justice Department Web site says the administration
generally does not discuss why executive clemency is or is not granted.
As of Tuesday, Bush has issued 157 pardons and six commutations, including
the sentence commutation of former White House adviser I. Lewis "Scooter"
Libby.
The most notable name not on the list was that of major league baseball
pitcher Roger Clemens, who is said to be seeking a pardon from possible
perjury charges over his congressional testimony he offered earlier this
year. He said he didn't use steroids, but other key witnesses said he did.
The president decides who will be pardoned, and takes advice from the U.S.
pardon attorney, who is housed at the Justice Department. Those interested
in seeking pardons submit their applications to the White House and the
pardon attorney, who in turn researches and vets the applications, and makes
periodic recommendations to the president.
The president also can decide to pardon or commute a sentence for anyone he
wishes.
Some of the more notable pardons and commutations have included President
Clinton's pardon of Marc Rich, who fled the country after facing tax evasion
charges; Bush's commutation of Libby's prison sentence; and President Ford's
pardon of President Nixon.
The pardons announced Tuesday were for:
- William L. Baker of Spokane, Wash. Offense: Distribution of a controlled
substance; falsifying records. Sentenced July 15, 1980, in Wyoming to 24
months imprisonment, one year special parole.
- George Francis Bauckham of Oak Ridge, N.J. Offense:Unlawful detention,
delay and secretion of mail by a postal employee. Sentenced May 16, 1958, in
New Jersey to five years probation and $100 fine.
- Kenneth Charles Britt of White City, Kansas. Offense: Conspiracy to
violate federal and state fish and wildlife laws. Sentenced Nov. 12, 1998,
in Kansas to three years probation and restitution of $8,250.
- William Bruce Butt of London, Ky. Offense: Bank embezzlement. Sentenced
June 20, 1990, in Kentucky to three years probation.
- Mariano Garza Caballero of Brownsville, Texas. Offense: Dealing in
firearms without a federal firearms license. Sentenced Nov. 1, 1984, in
Texas to 34 days imprisonment, four years probation, and a $1,000 fine.
- Anthony C. Foglio (aka Tony Foley) of Santee, Calif. Offense: Distribution
of marijuana. Sentenced Oct. 15, 1996, in West Virginia to three years
probation.
- Marvin Robert Foster of Boca Raton, Fla. Offense: False statement in
connection with a Federal Housing Administration loan. Sentenced Jan. 19,
1968, in Rhode Island to one year probation and a $3,500 fine.
- Carl Harry Hachmeister of Denton, Texas. Offense: Conspiracy to commit
wire and mail fraud. Sentenced Jan. 22, 1985, in Utah to three years
probation and $39,330 restitution.
- William Marcus McDonald of Wetumpka, Alabama. Offense: Distribution of
cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, use of cocaine,
possession of cocaine, use of marijuana. Sentenced May 2, 1984, by U.S. Air
Force general court-martial convened at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., to four
years confinement at hard labor, forfeiture of $300 pay per month for four
years, reduction in rank to basic airman, and a bad conduct discharge.
- Robert Michael Milroy of Cinnaminson, N.J. Offense: Importation of heroin.
Sentenced April 2, 1975, in seven and a half years imprisonment, six years
special parole, and three years probation.
- Jerry Lynn Moldenhauer of Colorado Springs, Colo. Offense: Knowingly
selling migratory bird parts in violation of Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Sentenced Sept. 19, 1994, in Colorado to three years probation and $1,000
fine.
- Thomas Donald Moldenhauer of Colorado Springs, Colo. Offense: Knowingly
selling migratory bird parts in violation of Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Sentenced Sept. 19, 1994, in Colorado to three years probation and $1,000
fine.
- Richard James Putney (aka Richard James Putney Jr.) of Woodbridge, Va.
Offense: Aiding and abetting the escape of a prisoner. Sentenced Sept. 16,
1996, in West Virginia to one year of probation and a $100 fine.
- Timothy Alfred Thone of Woodbury, Minn. Offense: Making a false statement
to the Department of Housing and Urban Development to obtain a mortgage
loan. Sentenced Sept. 18, 1987, in Minnesota to two years probation, $1,500
fine.
- Lonnie Edward Two Eagle Sr. of Parmelee, S.D. Offense: Simple assault
committed on an Indian reservation (misdemeanor). Sentenced Oct. 6, 1976, in
South Dakota to two years probation.
Bush Pardons 15 Convicts, Commutes 1 Prison Sentence
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
WASHINGTON - The Justice Department announced Tuesday that President Bush
has issued 15 new pardons and commuted one prison sentence.
All 15 pardons were for men who were convicted of non-violent and mostly
minor offenses, some dating back decades. Among the convictions were drug
possession and distribution, illegal firearms dealing, false housing
statements and wildlife infractions.
The single commutation announced Tuesday was for a Portsmouth, Va., woman
convicted of attempted drug distribution. Patricia Beckford was sentenced in
1992 to 23 years in federal prison for conspiracy and attempt to distribute
more than 50 grams of crack cocaine. Following the president's order,
however, Beckford will get out early. Her release is now set for July 24,
2008.
A five-year term of supervised release for Beckford will stand, officials
said. While a pardon lifts many of the non-prison-related sanctions of a
conviction - which can include the right to vote if a state does not have a
specific rule preventing it from being lifted - a commutation only provides
for early prison release. Beckford also was fined $10,000.
Getting a presidential pardon doesn't necessarily require a $1,000 an hour
lawyer and a tight friendship with the White House. One pardon recipient
said he learned Tuesday morning he had been pardoned for a conviction he
received in the 1990s.
The man pardoned - who didn't want to be identified by name because he
believed his public image would be damaged by discussing the case - said he
didn't have a high-priced lawyer, or any lawyer for that matter. He simply
submitted paperwork to the Justice Department about four years ago, and
waited and waited.
Finally, he got the call on Tuesday.
"I feel like this is the first time I've been in control of my own future"
since the conviction, the pardon recipient told FOXNews.com.
He said he has been rejected from jobs before because of the conviction, to
which he always admitted on job applications. He said that one time, he was
released on the first day of a job after management changed its mind about
his hire.
"I have a good job. I have a well-paying job. But it was one I felt I could
never leave. I felt trapped," he said.
He also lost his right to vote and the right to carry a firearm. He said he
couldn't care less about the firearm, "but I want my right to vote back."
At the moment, no plans are in the works to celebrate, he said, but he will
be researching more about what freedoms the pardon gives him, and took the
opportunity to advocate for better education so people can prevent getting
into situations like his own.
"Our kids need it. They can't go anywhere without it. ... If they're not
given a proper education, and ultimately, they will be a victim of their
circumstances for the wrong reasons because they won't have any way out."
A White House spokesman did not immediately return an e-mail seeking
comment, and the Justice Department Web site says the administration
generally does not discuss why executive clemency is or is not granted.
As of Tuesday, Bush has issued 157 pardons and six commutations, including
the sentence commutation of former White House adviser I. Lewis "Scooter"
Libby.
The most notable name not on the list was that of major league baseball
pitcher Roger Clemens, who is said to be seeking a pardon from possible
perjury charges over his congressional testimony he offered earlier this
year. He said he didn't use steroids, but other key witnesses said he did.
The president decides who will be pardoned, and takes advice from the U.S.
pardon attorney, who is housed at the Justice Department. Those interested
in seeking pardons submit their applications to the White House and the
pardon attorney, who in turn researches and vets the applications, and makes
periodic recommendations to the president.
The president also can decide to pardon or commute a sentence for anyone he
wishes.
Some of the more notable pardons and commutations have included President
Clinton's pardon of Marc Rich, who fled the country after facing tax evasion
charges; Bush's commutation of Libby's prison sentence; and President Ford's
pardon of President Nixon.
The pardons announced Tuesday were for:
- William L. Baker of Spokane, Wash. Offense: Distribution of a controlled
substance; falsifying records. Sentenced July 15, 1980, in Wyoming to 24
months imprisonment, one year special parole.
- George Francis Bauckham of Oak Ridge, N.J. Offense:Unlawful detention,
delay and secretion of mail by a postal employee. Sentenced May 16, 1958, in
New Jersey to five years probation and $100 fine.
- Kenneth Charles Britt of White City, Kansas. Offense: Conspiracy to
violate federal and state fish and wildlife laws. Sentenced Nov. 12, 1998,
in Kansas to three years probation and restitution of $8,250.
- William Bruce Butt of London, Ky. Offense: Bank embezzlement. Sentenced
June 20, 1990, in Kentucky to three years probation.
- Mariano Garza Caballero of Brownsville, Texas. Offense: Dealing in
firearms without a federal firearms license. Sentenced Nov. 1, 1984, in
Texas to 34 days imprisonment, four years probation, and a $1,000 fine.
- Anthony C. Foglio (aka Tony Foley) of Santee, Calif. Offense: Distribution
of marijuana. Sentenced Oct. 15, 1996, in West Virginia to three years
probation.
- Marvin Robert Foster of Boca Raton, Fla. Offense: False statement in
connection with a Federal Housing Administration loan. Sentenced Jan. 19,
1968, in Rhode Island to one year probation and a $3,500 fine.
- Carl Harry Hachmeister of Denton, Texas. Offense: Conspiracy to commit
wire and mail fraud. Sentenced Jan. 22, 1985, in Utah to three years
probation and $39,330 restitution.
- William Marcus McDonald of Wetumpka, Alabama. Offense: Distribution of
cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, use of cocaine,
possession of cocaine, use of marijuana. Sentenced May 2, 1984, by U.S. Air
Force general court-martial convened at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., to four
years confinement at hard labor, forfeiture of $300 pay per month for four
years, reduction in rank to basic airman, and a bad conduct discharge.
- Robert Michael Milroy of Cinnaminson, N.J. Offense: Importation of heroin.
Sentenced April 2, 1975, in seven and a half years imprisonment, six years
special parole, and three years probation.
- Jerry Lynn Moldenhauer of Colorado Springs, Colo. Offense: Knowingly
selling migratory bird parts in violation of Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Sentenced Sept. 19, 1994, in Colorado to three years probation and $1,000
fine.
- Thomas Donald Moldenhauer of Colorado Springs, Colo. Offense: Knowingly
selling migratory bird parts in violation of Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Sentenced Sept. 19, 1994, in Colorado to three years probation and $1,000
fine.
- Richard James Putney (aka Richard James Putney Jr.) of Woodbridge, Va.
Offense: Aiding and abetting the escape of a prisoner. Sentenced Sept. 16,
1996, in West Virginia to one year of probation and a $100 fine.
- Timothy Alfred Thone of Woodbury, Minn. Offense: Making a false statement
to the Department of Housing and Urban Development to obtain a mortgage
loan. Sentenced Sept. 18, 1987, in Minnesota to two years probation, $1,500
fine.
- Lonnie Edward Two Eagle Sr. of Parmelee, S.D. Offense: Simple assault
committed on an Indian reservation (misdemeanor). Sentenced Oct. 6, 1976, in
South Dakota to two years probation.
