Obama Commutes Sentences For More Than 200 People -- Four In Texas

AUSTIN, TX -- President Barack Obama on Wednesday commuted the sentences of more than 200 people serving federal sentences -- including four in Texas.

The 214 commuted sentences are part of a broader reprieve Obama previously announced in 2014 in an effort to rectify harsh sentencing that would not be applicable by today's standards. Obama's so-called Clemency Project has granted a total of 562 commutations -- more than all other presidents combined.

Wednesday's action represents the most commutations issued by a president in a single day since at least 1900, according to the White House. The Texas residents who had their sentences commuted are:

• Willie Chester of Waco, serving time for possession of a firearm by a felon and for a false statement in acquisition of same. He was originally sentenced to 264 months of imprisonment, five years supervised release and a $3,000 fine. With the commuted sentence, he now is scheduled to be released Dec. 1.
• Jimmie Clyde Collins of Joshua, Texas, behind bars for conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute; possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and aiding and abetting; using a drug involved premises and aiding and abetting; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver; possession of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. He was sentenced to 370 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release (February 11, 2005). His prison sentence commuted to expire on Dec. 1.
• William Ennis of El Paso, originally sentenced for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, cocaine, more than five kilograms; using a communication device to facilitate the commission of a felony. He was sentenced to life in prison and a $5,000 fine. His sentence now will be commuted to expire Dec. 1.
• Kenneth Evans, Fort Worth, charged with conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine base and other related charges. He was originally sentenced to life imprisonment plus 60 months. His commuted sentence reduces his prison term to 360 months.

The Austin American-Statesman noted one Austin man is among those who has secured a commuted sentence as part of Obama's reprieves. Jamel Washington, 44, had been sentenced to 22 years' imprisonment in 2005 for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and for possessing a firearm despite felon status. By virtue of the commuted sentence, Washington's sentence is now set to end Dec. 1, roughly 7 1/2 years early, the Statesman reported.