“President Biden believes that America is a nation of second chances and that offering meaningful opportunities for redemption and rehabilitation empowers those who are incarcerated to become productive, law-abiding members of society,” a White House official said on condition of anonymity. before the official announcement. “The president remains committed to providing a second chance to individuals who have demonstrated rehabilitation — something that elected officials on both sides of the aisle, faith leaders, civil rights advocates and law enforcement leaders agree our criminal justice system should offer.”
Biden’s year-end pardons affect people who are not widely known, unlike former President Donald Trump’s pardon recipients. In a chaotic flurry announced by the White House less than 12 hours before the end of his presidency, Trump granted 144 pardons and commutations, with recipients including entertainers, politicians from both parties and several well-connected Trump allies.
According to the White House, the six pardoned by Biden were:
* Gary Park Davis, 66, of Yuma, Ariz., who pleaded guilty to using a telephone to facilitate an illegal cocaine transaction more than 40 years ago. After serving six months in the county jail, Davis completed his probation in 1981. He then earned a bachelor’s degree and now owns a landscaping company and manages construction projects. He continued to run the local high school booster club even after his children graduated and helps raise money for the local rotary club and chamber of commerce.
* Edward Lincoln De Coito III, 50, of Dublin, Calif., who pleaded guilty to participating in a marijuana-trafficking conspiracy more than 25 years ago. De Coito previously served in the Army and Army Reserves, where he received the Southwest Asia Service Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal and the Humanitarian Service Medal. After his release from prison, De Coito worked as a qualified electrician for around 15 years before starting a second career as a pilot.
* Vincent Ray Flores, 37, of Winters, California, used ecstasy and alcohol at age 19 while serving in the military. He was sentenced to four months in prison, forfeiture of $700 per month for four months, and reduction in rank. Since then, Flores has remained in active duty and has been awarded the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Air Force Distinguished Unit Award and the Meritorious Unit Award, among others. He has also volunteered for several causes through his military units, including Habitat for Humanity, a cancer research fundraiser, and events for military personnel returning from deployment.
* Beverly Ann Ibn-Tamas, 80, of Columbus, Ohio, was convicted of second-degree armed murder in the killing of her husband. The 33-year-old was pregnant at the time and testified that her husband physically and verbally abused her moments before she shot him. During the trial, the court refused to allow expert testimony on battered woman syndrome, the psychological state and behavioral patterns that can develop in victims of domestic violence, and Ibn-Tama was sentenced to one to five years in prison. Ibn-Tamas was most recently director of nursing for a healthcare company in Ohio and continues to manage cases at that facility.
* Charlie Burns Jackson, 77, of Swansea, SC, who pleaded guilty to one count of possessing and selling distilled spirits without duty stamps. He was sentenced to five years probation for the crime he committed at the age of 18. Jackson tried to enlist in the Marine Corps after graduating high school, but was rejected because of his federal convictions. Since then, he has been an active member of his church and has volunteered his carpentry skills to maintain and restore church buildings.
* John Dix Knox III, 72, of St. Augustine, Florida, pleaded guilty to one count of renting and transferring a place for use as an owner for the production of marijuana plants. He was sentenced in 1996 to six months of community service instead of prison. Nox now manages a general contracting company and mentors new contractors through a professional networking group. He also helps organize an annual fishing tournament to benefit abused young men.
