President Obama issued the first pardons of his tenure as Commander-In-Chief today, if you don't include the traditional turkey pardons on Thanksgiving eve. Obama let nine people off the hook.
Here are the two from Texas.
Timothy James Gallagher -Navasota, Texas Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine; 21 U.S.C. § 846. Sentence: Oct. 18, 1982; District of Arizona; three years of probation. Scoey Lathaniel Morris -Crosby, Texas Offense: Passing counterfeit obligations or securities; 18 U.S.C. §§ 472 and 2. Sentence: May 21, 1999; Western District of Texas; three years of probation and $1,200 restitution, jointly and severally.
The White House press release did not explain why the president issued the pardons. But the Associated Press has a little more background.
"The president was moved by the strength of the applicants' post-conviction efforts at atonement, as well as their superior citizenship and individual achievements in the years since their convictions," said White House spokesman Reid Cherlin. The White House announced the pardons Friday as Obama was in the air on the way home from a surprise visit to Afghanistan.
