Timothy Lashaun Dandridge
Commutation by Barack Obama
The Case
Facts on file from the DOJ Office of the Pardon Attorney
- Offense
- Unlawful distribution of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine base (three counts); unlawful possession with the intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine base; unlawful possession w
- District
- Northern District of Alabama
- Original Sentence
- 180 months’ imprisonment; 60 months’ supervised release (Terms: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017)
- 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
Timothy Lashaun Dandridge was convicted in the Northern District of Alabama on multiple drug charges: three counts of unlawful distribution of cocaine base, one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, and unlawful possession. He received a 180-month (15-year) prison sentence followed by 60 months of supervised release.
Pardon Context
A commutation reduces or eliminates the remainder of a prison sentence but does not erase the underlying conviction or restore civil rights like voting or firearm ownership. The recipient remains subject to any supervised release conditions originally imposed. Under Article II of the Constitution, the presidential clemency power is absolute and requires no judicial review or approval. 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.