Kimberly Robinson
Commutation by Joseph R. Biden Jr.
The Case
Facts on file from the DOJ Office of the Pardon Attorney
- Offense
- Conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine; conspiracy to commit money laundering
- District
- Eastern District of Tennessee
- Original Sentence
- 292 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release (April 8, 2015)
- Clemency Type
- Commutation — reduces sentence but conviction stands
Case Overview & Context
Plain-English summary of the case and the legal context for this type of clemency
Case Overview
Kimberly Robinson was convicted in the Eastern District of Tennessee of conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and conspiracy to commit money laundering. She was sentenced on April 8, 2015, to 292 months (approximately 24 years) in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release.
Pardon Context
A commutation reduces or eliminates the remaining portion of a prison sentence but does not erase the conviction or restore civil rights like voting or gun ownership. The recipient's criminal record remains intact, and any supervised release conditions imposed by the court typically remain in effect. Under Article II of the Constitution, the presidential clemency power is absolute for federal offenses and requires no judicial approval or review. The president's personal reasoning for this specific grant is not publicly documented.
AI-generated summary based on public clemency records. The president's specific personal reasoning for this grant is not publicly documented.
Constitutional authority: Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution grants the President “Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States.” This power is absolute for federal crimes — Congress cannot override it, and no judicial review is required. The president is not required to publish reasons for individual grants.