Herman Barron, III
Commutation by Barack Obama
The Case
Facts on file from the DOJ Office of the Pardon Attorney
- Offense
- Conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base (crack)
- District
- Eastern District of Tennessee
- Original Sentence
- 240 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ 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
Herman Barron, III was convicted in the Eastern District of Tennessee of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base (crack). He received a sentence of 240 months (20 years) in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release. His prison sentence was commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.
Pardon Context
A commutation reduces or eliminates the remainder of a prison sentence but does not erase the underlying conviction or express forgiveness for the offense. The recipient's conviction remains on their record, and they are still subject to the terms of supervised release and other conditions originally imposed. The presidential clemency power under Article II of the Constitution 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.