Governor Phil Murphy today exercised his executive authority and announced a second round of clemency actions, providing relief for 93 individuals. This round includes 87 pardons and six commutations, including five commutations of incarcerated persons. Today’s announcement brings the total number of grants of clemency during the Murphy Administration to 129 individuals.
New Jersey’s Constitution gives the Governor broad discretion and the sole authority to issue pardons and commutations to individuals for state criminal convictions.
On June 19, 2024, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 362, establishing the first-of-its-kind in state history Clemency Advisory Board responsible for reviewing and making recommendations to the Governor on individual applications for pardons and commutations. Additionally, Executive Order No. 326 set out certain categories of applications that would receive expedited review by the Clemency Advisory Board during the Murphy Administration.
The criteria for expedited consideration stated in the Executive Order reflect categories of applications that are particularly likely to warrant an exercise of executive clemency by the Governor. For example, individuals may receive expedited consideration for pardons for certain non-violent convictions if they have remained free from justice system involvement for sufficient time. Other examples of those receiving expedited consideration include individuals who are serving sentences that reflect an excessive trial penalty and victims of domestic or sexual violence or sex trafficking who are incarcerated for committing a crime against their perpetrator.
Since its establishment in June 2024, the Clemency Advisory Board has received over 2,200 applications for clemency.
“Today’s announcement is a remarkable moment for New Jersey,” said Justin Dews, Chair of the Clemency Advisory Board. “In less than a year, Governor Murphy has granted clemency to more people than every other governor in the last 30 years combined. The Board and I appreciate how meaningful and necessary restoration and redemption is to many New Jerseyans, and we look forward to continuing our work in order to bring such opportunities to many more.”
The following individuals have been granted a pardon:
- Abdul-Ahad, Taskeen: robbery, sentenced in 1992
- Almonte, Neurys: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance within 1,000 feet of a school, sentenced in 2005
- Andrews, Kendric: arson, sentenced in 1994
- Artopee, Jonothan: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1997; disorderly conduct, sentenced in 1997; hindering, sentenced in 1998
- Ashforth, Joseph: aggravated assault, sentenced in 1984; terroristic threats and arson, sentenced in 1992
- Barlow, Racha: possession of a controlled dangerous substance (3 counts) and possession of narcotics equipment, sentenced in 1991; possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance within 1,000 feet of a school (2 counts), sentenced in 1991; possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance within 1, 000 feet of a school, (2 counts), sentenced in 1996; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2003; unlawful possession of a weapon, sentenced in 2010
- Billingsley, Jeffrey: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1991; possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance within 1,000 feet of a school, sentenced in 1992
- Butler, Adam: aggravated assault, sentenced in 1984; possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1987; theft, sentenced in 1987; possession of a controlled dangerous substance and credit card theft, sentenced in 2000; possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance within 1,000 feet of a school, sentenced in 2001
- Camp, William: possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1980
- Checkley, Bernard: possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2006
- Chue-Sang, Dayon: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance within 1,000 feet of a school, sentenced in 1995
- Ciraolo, Edmond: theft, sentenced in 1986; aggravated assault, sentenced in 1989; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1990; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1997; ordinance violation, sentenced in 2000; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2012
- Collazo, Sergio: shoplifting, sentenced in 2001; theft, sentenced in 2001; receipt of stolen property, sentenced in 2002; receipt of stolen property, sentenced in 2003; robbery, sentenced in 2003; unlawful taking by means of conveyance and resisting arrest, sentenced in 2003; receipt of stolen property, sentenced in 2005
- Dante, Michael: eluding and possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1996
- Delcollo, Joseph: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2002
- Demarco, Gerald: distribution of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1980
- Fiore, Mia: possession with intent to use a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2000; ordinance violations, sentenced in 2003; possession with intent to use a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2007
- Frazier, Cherie: possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1993; unlawful possession of a weapon, sentenced in 1993; arson, sentenced in 1995
- French, Mark: distribution of a controlled dangerous substance (2 counts), sentenced in 1991
- Gerow, Scott Brian: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance within 1,000 of a school, sentenced in 1993; failure to voluntarily give a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1998; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1999; loitering, sentenced in 2004; loitering, sentenced in 2005; ordinance violation, sentenced in 2005; resisting arrest, sentenced in 2006; shoplifting, sentenced in 2006
- Gonzalez, John: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance within 1,000 feet of a school, sentenced in 1996; possession with the intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1997
- Gutierrez-Perez, Jhony: possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2001; possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2004; ordinance violation, sentenced in 2004
- Horsburgh, Jason: theft, sentenced in 1993; burglary (2 counts) and theft (2 counts), sentenced in 1994; conspiracy, attempt, theft, and employing a juvenile in commission of offense, sentenced in 2000
- James, O’Margaret: unlawful possession of a weapon, permit to carry, and possession of a weapon, sentenced in 2013; possession of a stun gun, sentenced in 2013
- Jaquez, Edison: possession with intent to distribute within 500 feet of public housing, sentenced in 2010
- Jennings, Stephanie: sentenced in 1986; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1987; robbery, sentenced in 2005
- Kern, Jennifer: loitering to obtain a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2001; theft, sentenced in 2003; endangering the welfare of a child and possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2006; theft, sentenced in 2010; theft, sentenced in 2010
- Layton, Jeffrey: robbery, sentenced in 1982; robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery, sentenced in 1982
- Lee, Arcadia: possession with intent to use paraphernalia, sentenced in 2008; possession with intent to use paraphernalia, sentenced in 2010; being under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance without a prescription, sentenced in 2010; unlawful possession of a weapon (2 counts), sentenced in 2012
- Lunny, Robin Lee: possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1984; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1988
- Mack, Sonja: shoplifting, sentenced in 1987; obstruction of justice, sentenced in 1990; shoplifting, sentenced in 1994; ordinance violations, sentenced in 2002
- Malagon, Rebecca: distribution of a controlled dangerous substance within 1,000 feet of a school, sentenced in 1993; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1995; shoplifting, sentenced in 1999; theft, sentenced in 2001
- Martin, Gregory Scott: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1990; trespassing, sentenced in 1993; failure to disperse, sentenced in 1993
- McAnuff, Cornell: shoplifting, sentenced in 1987; perjury and conspiracy to commit perjury, sentenced in 1992
- McMillon, Brice: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance within 1,000 feet of a school, sentenced in 1990; conspiracy, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance within 1,000 feet of a school, sentenced in 1990; possession with intent to use paraphernalia, sentenced in 1990
- Mitchell, Andrew: possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2006; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2006; burglary (2 counts) sentenced in 2008; terroristic threats and firearms registry violation, sentenced in 201
- Mitchell, Calvin: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance within 500 feet of public housing, sentenced in 2013
- Moras, Domingo: controlled dangerous substance offenses, sentenced in 1984; distribution of a controlled dangerous substance and possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1987
- Moreno, Guillermo: distribution of a controlled dangerous substance and possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance within 1,000 feet of a school, sentenced in 1992
- Morris, Christopher: distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1994
- Nasi, Ytala: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance within 1,000 feet of a school, sentenced in 1991
- Parks, Larry: simple assault, sentenced in 1999; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1999; possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance within 1,000 feet of a school and possession with intent to distribute within 500 feet of public housing, sentenced in 2000; resisting arrest, sentenced in 2005
- Pastrana, Miguel: possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1993
- Payne-Gibson, Robin: violation of lottery law, sentenced in 1978
- Pease, David: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1985
- Peel, Jeffrey: conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1980
- Perekstra, Robert: theft and uttering forged instrument (7 counts), sentenced in 1983; shoplifting, sentenced in 1998
- Perez, Patricia: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance and conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1990
- Perry, Drew: possession of a controlled dangerous substance (2 counts), sentenced in 1989
- Perry, Rei-Shane: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance within 500 feet of public housing, sentenced in 2001; local ordinance violation, sentenced in 2011
- Pieper, C. D.: distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1996
- Pierre, Kevin: possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2004
- Pinerio, Daniel: terroristic threats, sentenced in 1997
- Placeres, Edwin: being under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance without a prescription, sentenced in 1988; possession of paraphernalia, sentenced in 1989; receiving stolen property, sentenced in 2001; ordinance violation, sentenced in 2001; theft from a person, sentenced in 2006
- Reid, Robin: possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1992; theft by deception, sentenced in 1998
- Rivas, Jr., Carlos: possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1996; being under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance without a prescription, sentenced in 1996; distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1997; possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1998, possession of paraphernalia, sentenced in 2001
- Robinson, Terry: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1994
- Rodgers-Cromer, Linda: unlawful possession of a weapon and certain persons not to have a weapons or ammunition, sentenced in 1983; theft, sentenced in 1992
- Rodriguez, Hermes: receiving stolen property, sentenced in 1999
- Rodwell, Kathryn: ordinance violation, sentenced in 2013; possession of a hypodermic needle, sentenced in 2013; conspiracy to possess a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2014
- Roth, Megan: ordinance violation, sentenced in 2012; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2013; resisting arrest, sentenced in 2015
Sabater, Sabrina: attempt to obtain by fraud a controlled dangerous substance (3 counts), wrongful impersonation, and health care claims fraud, sentenced in 2012 - Salermo, Erick: distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2006
- Sanchez, Mario: possession of paraphernalia, sentenced in 1997; disorderly conduct, sentenced in 2014
- Schofield, Jr., Floyd: unlawful possession of a weapon, sentenced in 1993; possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance within 1,000 feet of a school, sentenced in 1999; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1999
- Sellecchia, Antoinette: theft of services, sentenced in 2005; wandering to obtain a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2005
- Shabazz, Kareem: criminal trespass, sentenced in 1996; possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance within 1,000 feet of a school, sentenced in 1997
- Simmons, Kennin: theft, sentenced in 1979
- Spell, Kirayah: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance within 1,000 feet of a school and possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance within 500 feet of a public place, sentenced in 2007
- Steinhausen, Randall: possession of a controlled dangerous substance (2 counts), sentenced in 1988; theft, receiving a stolen vehicle, receiving stolen property, and burglary, sentenced in 1991
- Stephens, Rodney Duane: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance within 1,000 feet of a school (2 counts), sentenced in 1991
- Stovall, Felicia: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2003
- Sweat, Laqweta: possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1997; conspiracy to commit robbery, sentenced in 1999; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2002
- Tawfik, Adel: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1995; possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1997; ordinance violations, sentenced in 2001; ordinance violations; sentenced in 2003
- Taylor, Carl: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1994
- Terrero, Yosusany: burglary, sentenced in 1996; ordinance violation, sentenced in 2011
- Terry, Sylvester: possession of an unlicensed or unregistered weapon, sentenced in 1991; possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance (2 counts) and possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1994
- Torbit, Trackie: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2006
- Ugwudi, Justina: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1996
- Vasanki, Michael: burglary and theft by unlawful taking, sentenced in 1985; burglary, sentenced in 1992; wandering to obtain a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1999
- Watson, Kimberly: theft, sentenced in 1994; endangering the welfare of a child, sentenced in 1998; endangering the welfare of a child, sentenced in 2001; theft, sentenced in 2007
- Williams, Steven: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1998; wandering to obtain a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1998; possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance within 1,000 feet of a school, sentenced in 2000; possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance within 1,000 feet of a school, sentenced in 2000; possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance within 500 feet of public property, sentenced in 2000; possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance within 500 feet of public property, sentenced in 2000
- Wims, Jeffrey: fraud and possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1983
- Woolf, Mark: distribution of a controlled dangerous substance within 500 feet of public housing, sentenced in 2013
- Yeldell-Bay, Michael: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1989
- Yurick, Edward: robbery, sentenced in 2001
- Zambolla, Donna: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2002
- The following individuals have been granted commutations of their prison sentences:
Barkley, Rashon: Convicted of felony murder, aggravated manslaughter, conspiracy, theft, simple assault, robbery (6 counts), unlawful possession of a weapon (2 counts), possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose (2 counts), and receiving stolen property. Sentenced in 1994 to a term of incarceration of life plus 50 years. Mr. Barkley will be released from prison and begin a five-year period of parole supervision. - Muhammad, Jamal: Convicted of murder, felony murder, robbery, conspiracy, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon. Sentenced in 2000 to a term of incarceration of life with 30 years of parole ineligibility. Mr. Muhammad will be released from prison and begin a five-year period of parole supervision.
- Pfefferle, Paige: Convicted of murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, and hindering apprehension. Sentenced in 2013 to 30 years in prison with 30 years of parole ineligibility followed by five years of post-incarceration parole supervision. Ms. Pfefferle will be released from prison and begin a five-year period of parole supervision.
- Salazar, Alberto: Convicted of reckless manslaughter, felony murder, and robbery. Sentenced in 2003 to 30 years in prison with 30 years of parole ineligibility. Mr. Salazar will be released from prison and be deported due to his immigration status.
- Tierney, Michelle: Convicted of murder and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. Sentenced in 2000 to 30 years in prison with 30 years of parole ineligibility. Ms. Tierney will be released from prison and begin a period of parole supervision until August 29, 2028.
- The following individual has been granted a commutation from his driver’s license suspension:
Furushima, Dennis K.: Convicted of driving under the influence (5 counts). Sentenced in 1999 and 2000 to 50 years of a driver’s license suspension. Mr. Furushima will have his driver’s license suspension commuted and any associated court-ordered driver’s license suspensions rescinded.
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