By his own admission, President Obama used to snort coke (a.k.a., “a little blow”). On Wednesday, by his own decree, the President commuted the sentences of some 61 drug dealers. Most of the 61 mid-week commutations free felons convicted of cocaine possession with intent to distribute, the rest relating to the illegal distribution of other controlled substances. Wait. What’s this? Twelve of the felons listed by the washingtonpost.com were convicted of a firearms offense! Here’s one . . .
Tommy Howard – Cincinnati, OH
Offense: Use of a firearm during the commission of a drug trafficking offense; Southern District of Ohio Sentence: 292 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release; $1,000 fine (January 8, 2004) Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2016.
Let’s look a little deeper into Mr. Howard’s case, shall we? casetext.com tells the tale . . .
On April 7, 2003 the Cincinnati Police Department (“CPD”) stopped Petitioner for a traffic violation (doc. 23). Petitioner did not have a valid driver’s license, but possessed a temporary driver’s permit (Id.). No licensed driver accompanied him in the car as required by Ohio law (Id.). Petitioner granted the request of the CPD to search his vehicle (Id.).
The officers found a semi-automatic handgun underneath the driver’s seat (Id.). Upon discovery of the weapon, Petitioner attempted to flee on foot from the officers (Id.). After a short chase, the officers apprehended Petitioner and the CPD continued its search of the automobile (Id.). The officers discovered powder cocaine, a digital scale, bags of marijuana, and several empty plastic baggies (Id.). The officers gave Petitioner the Miranda warnings and questioned him. Petitioner claimed that he found the guns and drugs in a bag on a neighboring street (Id.).
The government charged Petitioner with possession of ammunition by a convicted felon in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), possession with the intent to distribute cocaine in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841, and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1) (Id.).
Ultimately, a federal grand jury issued a four count indictment alleging: (1) possession of ammunition by a convicted felon in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1); (2) possession with the intent to distribute cocaine in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841; (3) possession with the intent to distribute marijuana in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841; and (4) possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1) (Id.). Petitioner entered a plea of guilty to Count Four, pursuant to a plea agreement (Id.). During his plea colloquy, Petitioner admitted carrying the firearm and possession of the narcotics (Id.).
The Court sentenced Petitioner to 292 months, five years supervised released, a $100.00 general assessment, and a $1,000.00 fine (Id.). Petitioner appealed this sentence; his direct appeal was denied (Id.).
So Mr. Howard was a convicted felon dealing drugs and carrying a firearm (and ammo!) who tried to have his conviction overturned by arguing a technical issue, an “absence of evidence” and ineffective counsel. (Jailhouse lawyer much?)
Mr. Obama wants to stop “gun violence” by degrading and destroying law-abiding Americans’ natural, civil and constitutionally protected right to keep and bear arms. He just pardoned 12 firearms-toting felons. Connect the dots.
Oh wait. You can’t. What does that tell you? Anyway, I wonder how Mr. Howard scored the presidential pardon brass ring. And why Mr. Obama decided to go on this particular coke binge.