Cassandra Anne Kasowski
Commutation by Donald J. Trump
The Case
Facts on file from the DOJ Office of the Pardon Attorney
- Offense
- Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance (methamphetamine)
- District
- North District of Dakota
- Original Sentence
- 186 months' imprisonment (as amended by order of September 19, 2018); five years' supervised release (March 20, 2014)
- 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
Cassandra Anne Kasowski was convicted in the North District of Dakota of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. She was sentenced on March 20, 2014, to 186 months' imprisonment (as amended September 19, 2018) followed by five years of supervised release.
Pardon Context
A commutation reduces or eliminates the remainder of a prison sentence but does not erase the conviction or imply innocence. The recipient's conviction remains on their record, and they must still complete any supervised release requirements. Under Article II of the Constitution, the clemency power is absolute and requires no judicial review or approval. The 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.