In addition the more high-profile commute of rapper John
Edward Forte’s sentence, President George W. Bush has pardoned 14 individuals
and commuted the sentence of one more, all of whom had been convicted of
infractions including drug offenses, tax evasion, wildlife violations and bank
embezzlement.
These pardons come with less then two months left in
President Bush’s last term. While the president has been reserved with the
handing out of pardons, these are not the last to come. The latest pardon list
brings the total up to 171 pardons and eight commutations, less than half as
many as Clinton or Reagan issued during their time in office.
Here’s a list of the lucky folks, according to Associated
Press:
–Leslie Owen Collier of Charleston, Mo., who pleaded guilty
in 1995 to unlawfully killing three bald eagles in southeast Missouri. He
improperly used pesticide in hamburger meat to kill coyotes, but ended up
killing many other animals, including the bald eagles. Collier, who was
convicted for unauthorized use of a pesticide and violating the Bald and Golden
Eagle Protection Act, was sentenced Feb. 2, 1996 in the Eastern District of
Missouri.
–Milton Kirk Cordes of Rapid City, S.D. Cordes was convicted
of conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act, which prohibits importation into the
country of wildlife taken in violation of conservation laws.
–Richard Michael Culpepper of Mahomet, Ill., who was
convicted of making false statements to the federal government.
–Brenda Jean Dolenz-Helmer of Fort Worth, Texas, convicted
of concealing knowledge of a crime. Dolenz-Helmer, the daughter of a Dallas
doctor accused of medical insurance fraud, was convicted in connection with the
doctor's case. She was sentenced Dec. 31, 1998 in the Northern District of
Texas to four year's probation with the special condition of 600 hours of
community service and a $10,000 fine.
–Andrew Foster Harley of Falls Church, Va. Harley was
convicted of wrongful use and distribution of marijuana and cocaine during a
general court martial at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.
–Obie Gene Helton of Rossville, Ga., whose offense was
unauthorized acquisition of food stamps.
–Carey C. Hice Sr. of Travelers Rest, S.C., convicted of
income tax evasion.
–Geneva Yvonne Hogg of Jacksonville, Fla., convicted of bank
embezzlement.
–William Hoyle McCright Jr. of Midland, Texas, who was
convicted of bank fraud.
–Paul Julian McCurdy of Sulphur, Okla., who was sentenced
for misapplication of bank funds.
–Robert Earl Mohon Jr. of Grant, Ala., convicted of
conspiracy to distribute marijuana.
–Ronald Alan Mohrhoff of Los Angeles, who was convicted for
unlawful use of a telephone in a narcotics felony.
–Daniel Figh Pue III of Conroe, Texas, convicted of illegal
treatment, storage and disposal of a hazardous waste without a permit.
–Orion Lynn Vick of White Hall, Ark., who was convicted of
aiding and abetting the theft of government property.
President Bush also commuted the sentences James Russell
Harris of Detroit, Mich. as well as that of John Edward Forte of North
Brunswick, N.J. Both men had been convicted of cocaine possession with intent
to distribute
These presidential pardons, according to the United States
constitution are absolute and cannot be overruled.
