Obama Tightens Gun Laws on Citizens, Loosens Sentences for Criminals

Obama Tightens Gun Laws on Citizens, Loosens Sentences for Criminals

Bearing Arms - Friday October 7, 2016

by Beth Baumann

On Thursday, President Obama commuted the sentences of another 102 prisoners, bringing the total number of commuted sentences to 744 during the Obama Presidency.

“Today, President Obama granted commutations to another 102 individuals who have demonstrated that they are deserving of a second chance at freedom,” a White House press release states.

“With today’s grants, the President has commuted 774 sentences, more than the previous 11 presidents combined. With a total of 590 commutations this year, President Obama has now commuted the sentences of more individuals in one year than in any other single year in our nation’s history.”

Of the 102 commuted prisoners, 11 had firearm-related crimes.

Shawn Leo Barth of Bismark, North Dakota was sentenced to life in prison plus 60 years for the following convictions:

• Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine
• Possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute methamphetamine
• Distribution of a controlled substance methamphetamine; possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance marijuana
• Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime
• Felon in possession of a firearm/ammunition

Barth’s commuted sentence is now 322 months (26 years and 8 months) in prison.

Lancell Maurice Harris of Little Rock, Arkansas was sentenced to 421 months (35 years) in prison for the following convictions:

• Two counts of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute
• Two counts of carrying a firearm during a drug-trafficking crime

Harris’ commuted sentence is set to expire on February 3, 2017.

Dontae Lamont Hunt of Atlanta, Georgia was sentenced to 240 months (20 years) in jail for the following convictions:

• Possession with intent to distribute crack and aiding and abetting
• Carrying or use of a firearm during a drug crime and aiding and abetting
• Felon in possession of a firearm

Hunt’s commuted sentence is set to expire February 3, 2017.

Tesmone Darin Paschal of Maryville, Tennessee was sentenced to 300 months (25 years) in prison for the following convictions:

• Possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base
• Aided and abetted in the possession of a firearm by a convicted felon

Paschal’s commuted sentence to a term of 188 months (15 years and 6 months) in prison.

Karl Eugene Peacock of Bossier City, Lousianna was sentenced to 241 months (20 years) in prison for the following convictions:

• Conspiracy to violate to manufacture, distribute, or dispense, or possess with intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense, a controlled substance
• Possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking

Peacock’s commuted sentence is now 217 (18 years) in prison.

Cornelius D. Porter of Mount Rainer, Maryland was sentenced to 360 months (30 years) in prison for the following convictions:

• Felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition
• Possession with intent to distribute cocaine
• Possession with intent to distribute more than five grams of cocaine base

Porter’s commuted sentence will expire on October 6, 2018, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

James Harold Smith of Waynesboro, Virginia was sentenced to 411 months (34 months) in prison for the following convictions:

• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
• Two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime

Smith’s commuted sentence is set to expire on October 6, 2018, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Chip J.W. Teague of Sallisaw, Oklahoma was sentenced to 495 months (41 months) in prison for the following convictions:

• Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine
• Three counts of possession of firearm moved in interstate commerce
• Two counts of possession of firearm during drug trafficking crime
• Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine
• Two counts of manufacture methamphetamine
• Maintain place for manufacture of methamphetamine

Teague’s commuted sentence is set to expire on October 6, 2018, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Shannon Alexander Washington of Lexington, Kentucky was sentenced to 60 months (5 years) in prison for the following convictions:

• Possession with intent to distribute cocaine base
• Carrying firearm and ammunition during and in relation to drug trafficking crime

Washington’s commuted sentence is set to expire on October 6, 2018, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Harry Lee White of Orlando, Florida was sentenced to 420 months (35 years) in prison for the following convictions:

• Possession with intent to distribute cocaine base
• Using and carrying a firearm during and relation to a drug trafficking crime

White’s commuted sentence is set to expire on February 3, 2017.

Charles M. Woolsey of West Baden Springs, Indiana was sentenced to 300 months (25 years) in prison. It was then upped to life imprisonment for the following convictions:

• Possession of 500 grams or more of methamphetamine (mixture)
• Possession with intent to distribute cocaine; possession of marijuana
• Possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking
• Prohibited person in possession of a firearm

Woolsey’s commuted sentence reduces his jail time to the original 300 months (25 years) he was sentenced to.

 

Obama has now commuted more sentences than the last 11 previous Presidents combined.

 

 

With a current national recidivism rate of 49.3%, we may be hearing about these criminals again.

How’s that criminal justice reform working for us?

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