Timothy G. Craig
Commutation by Barack Obama
The Case
Facts on file from the DOJ Office of the Pardon Attorney
- Offense
- Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of crack cocaine
- District
- District of South Carolina
- Original Sentence
- 292 months' imprisonment; five 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
Timothy G. Craig was convicted in the District of South Carolina of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of crack cocaine. He was sentenced to 292 months' imprisonment (approximately 24 years) and five years of supervised release. His prison sentence was commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.
Pardon Context
A commutation reduces or eliminates the remaining portion of a prison sentence but does not erase the underlying conviction or restore civil rights in the way a pardon does. The recipient is released from custody (or has their sentence shortened) but the conviction remains on their record, and they must still complete any supervised release term imposed by the court. Under Article II of the Constitution, the presidential clemency power is absolute for federal offenses 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.