Person Released by Former President Joe Biden's Clemency Order Arrested Again
Washington, March 20: A person who was granted clemency by former President Joe Biden has been arrested again. Willie Frank Peterson, 52, who was convicted of cocaine distribution conspiracy in 2023 and sentenced to 6 years and 3 months in prison, was released under Biden's commutation order after his sentence was reduced to 20 months. However, he was recently arrested again on charges related to drug possession and three firearm offenses.
Peterson's sentence began on September 13, 2023, and he was released on January 17, 2023, after Biden’s executive order reduced his sentence to 20 months. During his final days in office, President Biden carried out the largest single-day commutation, reducing the sentences of 1,500 criminals and pardoning 39 others. On January 17, Biden commuted the sentences of approximately 2,500 prisoners, mostly convicted for non-violent drug offenses.
Biden had said at the time, "Today's commutation provides support to individuals who have served long sentences, primarily due to the confusing distinction between crack and powder cocaine and the increased sentences for drug offenses."
