Douglasville man pardoned by President Joe Biden along with several others
President Joe Biden speaks during a roundtable discussion with Jewish community leaders in the Indian Treaty Room of the White House in Washington, D.C, on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. (Samuel Corum/Sipa/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. - President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. exercised his constitutional authority on Wednesday to grant clemency to 16 individuals convicted of non-violent drug offenses, marking a significant move towards advancing equal justice under the law.
Among those Biden gave a pardon is Jeffrey Alan Lewis, a 58-year-old man from Douglasville who had pleaded guilty to a non-violent drug offense at the age of 40. Lewis, whose case highlights the disparities in sentencing practices over time, would have received a significantly shorter sentence under current laws.
Having completed his sentence and obligations associated with supervised release, Lewis has since become a productive member of society. He is consistently employed, actively engages in charitable works, and is known as a dedicated family man.
The other individuals on the list include:
Jason Hernandez - McKinney, Texas: Convicted of non-violent drug offenses as a juvenile, Hernandez has since demonstrated exemplary rehabilitation. His sentence was commuted in 2013, and he now runs a nonprofit, transforming his past into a positive force for his community.
Beverly Holcy (Beverly Canty) - Palatka, Florida: Holcy, convicted at 27, has successfully reintegrated into society, earning praise for her honesty, reliability, and compassion.
Bobby Darrell Lowery - Jackson, Mississippi: Lowery, convicted at 25, has maintained steady employment and volunteers at various community organizations.
Jesse Mosley - Ponchatoula, Louisiana: Mosley, convicted at 19, has started a business and engages in charitable acts, earning praise for his generosity and commitment to community.
Katrina Polk - Washington, D.C.: Polk, who pleaded guilty at 18, has earned a PhD and become a respected advocate for the elderly, embodying dedication to service.
Glenn Ray Royal - San Antonio, Texas: Royal, convicted at 20, has earned degrees, mentors college students, and is known for his trustworthiness and dedication to his community.
Alexis Sutton - New Haven, Connecticut: Sutton, who received early termination of probation, is pursuing a nursing degree and actively participates in her church, admired for her resilience and reliability.
Ricky Donnell Tyler - Columbia, South Carolina: Tyler, convicted at 26, has started his own business and mentors youth, praised for his dedication to work and family.
Stacy Lynn Wilder - Albany, New York: Wilder, convicted for a non-violent drug offense, has excelled in her career and contributes to various causes, recognized for her hard work and generosity.
Pilar Alejandra Yelicie-Rodriguez - Fairfax, Virginia: Yelicie-Rodriguez, convicted for a non-violent drug offense, has maintained steady work and dedicates time to family and community, known for her reliability and loyalty.
Additionally, President Biden commuted the sentences of:
- Daequon Charles Davis - Johnson City, Tennessee
- Jophaney Hyppolite - Miami, Florida
- Xavier Martez Parnell - Clarksville, Tennessee
- Leshay Nicole Rhoton - Bristol, Tennessee
- Margaret Ann Vandyke - Ellenville, New York