Illinois woman, pair from Wisconsin, Indiana woman among 39 pardoned by President Biden
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A woman from Illinois, two people from Wisconsin, and a woman from Indiana were among 39 people pardoned by President Joe Biden on Thursday following convictions for nonviolent crimes. The president also commuted the sentences of nearly 1,500 other people who were released from prison and placed on home confinement during the coronavirus pandemic, the largest single-day act of clemency in modern history.
Many of the pardons are for long-ago, non-violent drug offenses, including for 51-year-old Diana Bazan Villanueva, of La Grange, Illinois. She was convicted of a nonviolent drug crime in her 20s, and the White House said since then she's been a dedicated mother, who regularly volunteers at school events, fundraisers, and autism-related charitable events.
"Friends and coworkers uniformly praise Ms. Villanueva and describe her as warm, reliable, and always eager to help," the White House said.
Also pardoned was 39-year-old Emily Good Nelson of Indianapolis, convicted of non-violent drug offenses at 19. Since her release, the White House said she has completed her bachelor's and master's degrees, and has volunteered as a counselor at an in-patient psychiatric facility.
"She has spoken publicly about drug use and has volunteered as a counselor at an in-patient psychiatric facility. She is described as kind, committed to recovery and helping others, and as someone with tremendous talent and ability," the White House said.
Two people from Wisconsin also received pardons.
Jerry Donald Manning, 70, of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, was convicted of nonviolent crimes, and later received early termination of his probationary sentence. Since then, the White House said the Army veteran has advanced his education and career in aviation, and is active in his community as a soccer coach and bible study teacher.
Audrey Diane Simone, 63, of Prescott, Wisconsin, was convicted of a nonviolent crime, and since then has worked in addiction recovery and has earned a bachelor's degree and a permanent counseling license. She also serves as a deacon at her church, and works in the chruch's prison ministry.
The full list of pardons and commutations is here.
