Four Metro Detroit men serving time for drug convictions are among 214 people whose federal sentences have been commuted.
“Too many men and women end up in a criminal justice system that serves up excessive punishments, especially for nonviolent drug offenses,” President Obama saysd in an email distributed by the White House. “But this is a country that believes in second chances. So we’ve got to make sure that our criminal justice system works for everyone.”
A commutation is a modification or reduction of a sentence as opposed to a pardon, which wipes out the conviction.
These prisoners received commutations, the White House announces:
► Vince Cordell King of Detroit was serving a life sentence since 1996 on possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (two counts); using or carrying of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime and felon in possession of a firearm. He goes free Dec. 1.
► William Anthony Freeman of Detroit was serving a 40-year sentence since 1990 for conspiracy to distribute cocaine. He also will be released Dec. 1.
► Samuel Grooms of Clinton Township was serving a life sentence since 2005 for conspiracy with intent to distribute heroin; attempted possession with intent to distribute heroin. His sentence was reduced to 20 years in prison.
► John L. Tolliver of Holly was serving a 20 year sentence since 2005 for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base for a conviction in Illinois. He goes free Dec. 1 and will be under supervised release for five years.
