Biden grants six pardons as the year closes out, including some with drug offenses

Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY
·4 min read
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WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden on Friday granted pardons to six individuals who have served their sentences, including a woman who was charged with second-degree murder for killing her husband after domestic abuse, a veteran who pleaded guilty for involvement in a marijuana trafficking conspiracy and several senior citizens.

Biden had granted three pardons prior to this since he took office, in addition to the sweeping pardon he issued in October for federal convictions for simple marijuana possession offenses.

According to the White House, the six pardons were granted through a deliberative process in close coordination with the Department of Justice.

Biden believes in providing second chances to individuals who have demonstrated their rehabilitation, the White House said, including individuals who have faced challenges like domestic abuse.

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Who was pardoned?

  • Gary Parks Davis, of Yuma, Arizona: Davis, 66, pleaded guilty to use of a communication facility (a telephone) to facilitate an unlawful cocaine transaction at age 22. Davis served a six month sentence on nights and weekends in a county jail and completed probation in 1981. Since then, Davis has earned a bachelor’s degree and now owns a landscaping business and manages construction projects.

  • Edward Lincoln De Coito III of Dublin, California: De Coito, 50, pleaded guilty to involvement in a marijuana trafficking conspiracy at age 23, where his involvement was limited to serving as a courier on five or six occasions. De Coito was imprisoned from March 1999 and released in December 2000. Prior to the offense, he served in the U.S. Army and Army Reserves, where he received a number of awards including the Southwest Asia Service Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, and the Humanitarian Service Medal. After his release, De Coito was an electrician for roughly 15 years before embarking on a second career as a pilot.

  • Vincente Ray Flores of Winters, California: Flores, 37, pleaded guilty at a special court-martial at the age 19 after he consumed ecstasy and alcohol while serving in the military. Flores was sentenced to four months’ confinement, forfeiture of $700 pay per month for a four month period, and reduction in rank to E-2. He participated in a six-month rehabilitation program in exchange for his plea. Flores remains on active duty and has received numerous awards, including the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, the Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Meritorious Unit Award.

  • Beverly Ann Ibn-Tamas of Columbus, Ohio: Ibn-Tamas, 80, was convicted of murder in the second degree while armed for killing her husband when she was 33. Ibn-Tamas at the time was pregnant and testified that before and during her pregnancy, her husband beat her, verbally abused her and threatened her. She said during her testimony that her husband had physically assaulted and threatened her before she shot him. At the time, the court refused to allow expert testimony regarding battered woman syndrome, a psychological condition and pattern of behavior that develops in victims of domestic violence. Ibn-Tamas was ultimately sentenced to a term of one to five years’ incarceration, with credit for time served. Ibn-Tamas’s appeal marked one of the first significant steps toward judicial recognition of battered woman syndrome, and her case has been the subject of numerous academic studies.

  • Charlie Byrnes Jackson of Swansea, South Carolina: Jackson, 77, pleaded guilty to one count of possession and sale of distilled spirits without tax stamps. The offense, which occurred when Jackson was 18, involved a single illegal whiskey transaction and resulted in nominal loss to the government. He was sentenced to five years’ probation and was unable to fulfill his dream of enlisting in the United States Marine Corps because of the federal conviction. Jackson has been an active member of his church since 1987, and he has helped many community members in need and used his carpentry skills to maintain and renovate the church buildings.

  • John Dix Nock III of St. Augustine, Florida: Nock, 72, pleaded guilty to one count of renting and making for use, as an owner, a place for the purpose of manufacturing marijuana plants. Nock accepted responsibility for the crime, which happened 27 years ago. Nock did not cultivate marijuana and played no role in the grow-house conspiracy. He was sentenced to six months’ community confinement in lieu of imprisonment, followed by three years’ supervised release. Nock paid the government the value of the home he rented to his brother in lieu of forfeiture. Nock currently operates a general contracting business.

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Contributing: Francesca Chambers

Reach Rebecca Morin at Twitter @RebeccaMorin_

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden grants six pardons, including some with drug offences