The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

President Obama just commuted the sentences of 58 people. Here are their names.

May 5, 2016 at 3:17 p.m. EDT
President Obama speaks to reporters during his visit to the El Reno Federal Correctional Institution outside Oklahoma City in July. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

President Obama commuted the sentences of 58 inmates Thursday as part of his ongoing initiative to release federal prisoners who have received severe mandatory sentences for non-violent drug offenses.

With this latest round of commutations, Obama has granted clemency to a total 306 inmates, 110 of whom were serving life sentences. Obama has said he will continue granting commutations during his final months in office to inmates who meet certain criteria set out by the Justice Department.

Of the inmates granted clemency Thursday, 18 had been sentenced to life without parole. One was Fulton “Wash” Washington, of Compton, Calif., who was convicted on PCP charges. At his sentencing, the judge lamented that harsh mandatory minimum sentences were not meant for offenders like Washington, but he had no choice. His daughter, who is 31, was 10 years old when Washington was sent to prison for the rest of his life.

“I was able to tell both Wash and his daughter today that he is coming home,” said attorney James E. Felman. “His daughter just broke down and started screaming and crying with hysteria. It’s just unbelievable. I’m still in tears.”

In a posting on Medium.com, Obama said he has been inspired by the stories of the inmates who have already received clemency, several of whom he met with last month.

“Each of their stories was extraordinary,” Obama wrote.

Since the Obama administration launched its high-profile clemency initiative two years ago, thousands of inmates have applied. More than 9,000 petitions are pending.

Now living in Fort Worth, Donel Clark is adjusting to life after being granted clemency. (Video: Nicki DeMarco, Nikki Kahn and Sari Horwitz/The Washington Post)

Here are the names of the 58 prisoners who most recently received commutations, according to the Justice Department:

Jasmine Allen – Bunnell, Fla.

Offense: Conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base; manage or control a residence for the purpose of unlawfully manufacturing, storing and distributing a controlled substance; distribution of five grams or more of cocaine base; Middle District of Florida

Sentence: 235 months imprisonment; five years supervised release (Nov. 5, 2008); amended to 188 months imprisonment (Feb. 29, 2016)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on Sept. 2, 2016.

Timothy Antjuan Augustus – Hampton, Va.

Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine base and cocaine; Eastern District of Virginia

Sentence: 210 months imprisonment; five years supervised release (March 1, 2007)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on Sept. 2, 2016.

Shannon Lee Blake – Phoenix, Ariz.

Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine; possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; District of Wyoming

Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release; $1,000 fine (July 2, 2007)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 5, 2018.

Steven Bernard Boyd – Augusta, Ga.

Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and to possess cocaine and cocaine base with intent to distribute; distribution of cocaine hydrochloride (three counts); possession of cocaine and cocaine base with intent to distribute; Southern District of Georgia

Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (Sept. 29, 1998)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on Sept. 2, 2016.

Donald Brooks – West Point, Ga.

Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute at least five kilograms of cocaine and at least 50 grams of cocaine base; Northern District of Georgia

Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (Oct. 18, 2002)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on Sept. 2, 2016.

Eddie Brown – D.C.

Offense: Unlawful possession with intent to distribute 50 grams of cocaine base; District of Columbia

Sentence: Life imprisonment (Sept. 20, 1990)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 5, 2017.

Charles C. Brown – Providence, R.I.

Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of cocaine base, aiding and abetting; possession with intent to distribute more than five grams of cocaine base; District of Rhode Island

Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (May 20, 2004)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on Sept. 2, 2016.

Aundra Coats – Cleveland

Offense: Distribution of cocaine base; Northern District of Ohio

Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (June 21, 2005)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on Sept. 2, 2016.

Jacob George Colbert – Richmond, Calif.

Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute in excess of 50 grams of cocaine base; District of Minnesota

Sentence: 235 months imprisonment; five years supervised release (Dec. 8, 2005)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 5, 2018.

Dwayne Berman Cooper – Miami

Offense: Conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to manufacture cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; possession of cocaine with intent to manufacture cocaine base; Middle District of Florida

Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (Aug. 27, 1996)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on Sept. 2, 2016.

Marion Clarence Cooper – Miami

Offense: Possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and aiding and abetting; District of South Carolina

Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (Nov. 12, 1996)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on Sept. 2, 2016.

Vernon Copeland – Smyrna, Ga.

Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine; laundering of monetary instruments (three counts); Northern District of Georgia

Sentence: 360 months imprisonment; five years supervised release (May 19, 1992)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on Sept. 2, 2016.

Wade Cutchen – Newport News, Va.

Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute heroin and cocaine; possession with intent to distribute heroin; Eastern District of Virginia

Sentence: 324 months imprisonment; five years supervised release (Sept. 15, 2000); amended to 262 months imprisonment (May 19, 2015)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on Feb. 2017.

Roberto Antonio Davila – San Antonio, Tex.

Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana; distribution of marijuana and aiding and abetting said offense; Western District of Texas

Sentence: Life imprisonment; three years supervised release (Feb. 28, 1995)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on Sept. 2, 2016.

Efrem Rahoman Douglas – Knoxville, Tenn.

Offense: Possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base; Eastern District of Tennessee

Sentence: 300 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (Sept. 19, 2005)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on Sept. 2, 2016.

Thomas Farmer – Cincinnati, Ohio

Offense: Possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; Eastern District of Kentucky

Sentence: Life imprisonment  (Dec. 7, 1995)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 5, 2017.

Roy Geer – Tavanier, Fla.

Offense: Conspiracy to import cocaine; attempt to import cocaine; conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine; attempt to possess with intent to distribute cocaine; Southern District of Florida

Sentence: 252 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release, $8,500 fine (May 24, 2004)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on Sept. 2, 2016.

Christopher Gulley – Pensacola, Fla.

Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base; Northern District of Florida

Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (June 12, 1996)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on Sept. 2, 2016.

Jamal Hanson – Temple Hills, Md.

Offense: 1. Distribution of 50 grams or more of cocaine base; District of Columbia. 2. Possession of contraband in federal prison; District of New Jersey

Sentence: 1. 262 months imprisonment; five years supervised release (Aug. 2, 2002); 2. Eight months imprisonment (July 16, 2004)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on Sept. 2, 2016.

Antonio Nicholas Hill – Taylors, S.C.

Offense: Possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base; District of South Carolina

Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (June 15, 2006)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on Sept. 2, 2016.

Carla Yvette Holte – Largo, Fla.

Offense: Conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base; conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine; distribution of five grams or more of cocaine base (two counts); possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine; Middle District of Florida

Sentence: 262 months imprisonment; five years supervised release (Nov. 2, 2001)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 5, 2018.

Corey D. Howard – Indianapolis

Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute in excess of five kilograms of cocaine (mixture); Southern District of Indiana

Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release; $2,000 fine (Feb. 9, 2005)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on Sept. 2, 2016.

George Howard Jones – Raleigh, N.C.

Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute cocaine base and cocaine; Eastern District of North Carolina

Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (Aug. 22, 1996)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on Sept. 2, 2016.

Joseph John Jones – Tarpon Springs, Fla.

Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of a mixture containing cocaine and 50 grams or more of cocaine base; Middle District of Florida

Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (Aug. 6, 2007)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on Sept. 2, 2016.

Twaine Jones – Washington Park, Ill.

Offense: Possession with intent to distribute cocaine; possession with intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride; possession with intent to distribute marijuana; Southern District of Illinois

Sentence: 360 months imprisonment; five years supervised release, $5,000 fine (Nov. 6, 2000); amended to 324 months imprisonment (Oct. 29, 2008)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on Sept. 2, 2016.

Abbas Rauf Kareem – Daytona Beach, Fla.

Offense: Possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; Middle District of Florida

Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (June 12, 2008)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 5, 2018.

Kenneth W. Kemp – Guttenberg, N.J.

Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base; distribution of cocaine base (three counts); did cause interstate travel in aid of racketeering (two counts); possession with intent to distribute cocaine; distribution of cocaine; Eastern District of Virginia

Sentence: Life imprisonment; five years supervised release (April 11, 1994)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on Sept. 2, 2016.

Tomma Jean Kent – Des Moines

Offense: Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; Southern District of Iowa

Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (Sept. 21, 2007)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 5, 2018.

Rick Lee Lamere – Bellingham, Wash.

Offense: Conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute; District of Montana

Sentence: 460 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (Jan. 13, 2005); amended to 320 months imprisonment, 10 years supervised release (Jan. 11, 2007)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 5, 2018.

Ohara Linear Laws – Houston

Offense: Possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base; Southern District of Texas

Sentence: 282 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (Sept. 19, 2003); amended to 240 months imprisonment (May 8, 2008)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on Sept. 2, 2016.

Larry Lewis – Pensacola, Fla.

Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute cocaine; possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; Northern District of Florida

Sentence: 360 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release; $1,000 fine (Oct. 20, 1999); amended to 324 months imprisonment  (June 18, 2006); amended to 262 months imprisonment (July 2, 2015)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 5, 2017.

Trevis Love – Harriman, Tenn.

Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine; Eastern District of Tennessee

Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (June 27, 2005)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on Sept. 2, 2016.

Leonard Mason – Claymont, Del.

Offense: Conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine; distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine; Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release; $2,500 fine (Feb. 2, 2011)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on Sept. 2, 2016.

Christopher Dale Masters – Broken Bow, Okla.

Offense: Maintaining a place for purpose of manufacturing, distributing, and using methamphetamine; Eastern District of Oklahoma

Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; three years supervised release (March 10, 2005); amended to 235 months imprisonment (Feb. 29, 2016)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on Sept. 2, 2016.

Stanford Mathis – Valdosta, Ga.

Offense: Distribution of more than 50 grams of cocaine base; Middle District of Georgia

Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (Dec. 18, 2003)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on Sept. 2, 2016.

Maurice Matthews – Katy, Tex.

Offense: Distribution of 50 grams or more of cocaine base; Eastern District of Louisiana

Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (April 29, 2009)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on Sept. 2, 2016.

Michael Tyree Mays – North Las Vegas, Nev.

Offense: Possession with intent to distribute cocaine; Central District of California

Sentence: 360 months imprisonment; eight years supervised release (May 13, 1999)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 5, 2018.

Javier Mendoza – Pharr, Tex.

Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine; possession with intent to distribute 1,264 kilograms of cocaine; Southern District of Texas

Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (Aug. 25, 1998)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 5, 2018.

Jerome Lee Menefee – Montgomery, Ala.

Offense: Possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; Central District of California

Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (Oct.  24, 2005)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on Sept. 2, 2016.

Michelle Miles – Brooklyn, N.Y.

Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine base; distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine base; Eastern District of New York

Sentence: 360 months imprisonment; five years supervised release (March 24, 2000)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on Sept. 2, 2016.

Troy Lamar Morton – Iron Station, N.C.

Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana; Western District of North Carolina

Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (Nov. 18, 2003)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 5, 2018.

Cintheia Denise Parra – Memphis, Tenn.

Offense: Possess with intent to distribute in excess of 500 grams of methamphetamine; Northern District of Mississippi

Sentence: 235 months imprisonment; five years supervised release (Sept. 21, 2006); amended to 188 months imprisonment (March 18, 2015)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on Sept. 2, 2016.

Gerardo Gilberto Rivera – Brownsville, Tex.

Offense: Possession with intent to distribute 11.02 kilograms of methamphetamine; Southern District of Texas

Sentence: 235 months imprisonment; five years supervised release (June 8, 2005)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on Sept. 2, 2016.

Jessie Lee Robinson – Jefferson City, Mo.

Offense: Distribution of cocaine base (two counts); possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; Western District of Missouri

Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (Nov. 15, 2005)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 5, 2018.

Alberto A. Rosales Sr. – Miami, Fla.

Offense: Continuing criminal enterprise; importation of marijuana; attempted importation of marijuana; possession with intent to distribute heroin (three counts); Southern District of Florida

Sentence: 85 years imprisonment; three years special parole (March 29, 1989); amended to 70 years imprisonment (Oct. 28, 1992)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on Sept. 2, 2016.

Artrez Nyroby Seymour – Chicago Heights, Ill.

Offense: Narcotics conspiracy; Northern District of Illinois

Sentence: 300 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (Sept. 21, 2005); amended to 240 months imprisonment (March 3, 2016)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on Sept. 2, 2016.

Larry Simmons – Savannah, Ga.

Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute more than 50 grams of crack cocaine; distribution of more than five grams of crack cocaine (two counts); Southern District of Georgia

Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (April 21, 2003)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on Sept. 2, 2016.

Lavelle Span – Milwaukee

Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine base; distribution of cocaine base (two counts); Western District of Wisconsin

Sentence: 372 months imprisonment; five years supervised release (May 26, 1999)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on Sept. 2, 2016.

Jerome Clarence Sumral – Los Angeles

Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; District of Hawaii

Sentence: 20 years imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (June 20, 2005)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on Sept. 2, 2016.

Golden Sutton – Henderson, Ky.

Offense: Conspiracy to manufacture, possess with intent to distribute in excess of 50 grams of cocaine base; possession of cocaine with intent to distribute; Southern District of Indiana

Sentence: 300 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (Oct. 28, 2002)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on Sept. 2, 2016.

John Herbert Talley – Chattanooga, Tenn.

Offense: Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribute cocaine base; use of a communications facility to wit: the telephone, to facilitate the commission a felony (two counts); Eastern District of Tennessee

Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (Dec. 4, 1995)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on Sept. 2, 2016.

Derrick Terry – Chicago, Il.

Offense: Possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; Northern District of Illinois

Sentence: 262 months imprisonment; five years supervised release (Jan. 29, 2003)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on Sept. 2, 2016.

David Anthony Trotter – Pensacola, Fla.

Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base; Northern District of Florida

Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (Oct. 15, 1993)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on Sept. 2, 2016.

Jedrek W. Underwood – Houston

Offense: Possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base and aiding and abetting; conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base; Southern District of Texas

Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (March 8, 2004)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on Sept. 2, 2016.

Chela H. Urbina – Boynton Beach, Fla.

Offense: 1. Conspiracy to import cocaine; importation of cocaine; possession with intent to distribute cocaine; possession with intent to distribute a mixture containing cocaine (Southern District of Florida); 2. Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute narcotics (Southern District of New York)

Sentence: 1. 360 months imprisonment; five years supervised release (Nov. 14, 1995); 2. 27 months imprisonment (concurrent); three years supervised release (May 1, 1997)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on Sept. 2, 2016.

Fulton Leroy Washington – Compton, Calif.

Offense: Conspiracy to manufacture phencyclidine; possession of piperidinocyclohexane-carbonitrile with intent to manufacture PCP; attempt to manufacture PCP; Central District of California

Sentence: Life imprisonment; five years supervised release (Oct. 10, 1997)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on Sept. 2, 2016.

Bill Westcott – Candler, N.C.

Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine; Middle District of Florida

Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (Dec. 19, 1991)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on Sept. 2, 2016.

Wayland Thomas Wilson – Dallas

Offense: Conspiracy; use of a communication facility (three counts); money laundering and aiding and abetting; Northern District of Texas

Sentence: 444 months imprisonment; three years supervised release; $25,000 fine (Nov. 12, 1993)

Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on Sept. 2, 2016.