Pardon Request For Jailed Former CT Sailor Denied By Trump Administration

GROTON, CT - A pardon request from a former Groton sailor charged with taking illegal photos at a submarine base has been denied by the Trump Administration, according to media reports. The news came as a surprise to the suspect and his lawyer, as Trump had previously expressed disapproval of the suspect's punishment.

Kristian Saucier, 30, had served as a machinist's mate aboard the USS Alexandria from 2007 to 2012, as reported by Fox News U.S. Officials said the suspect used his cellphone during this time to take pictures of the submarine's nuclear propulsion system while it was docked in Groton at the U.S. Navy’s submarine base. (To sign up for free, local breaking news alerts from more than 100 Connecticut communities click here.)

Saucier's lawyers said he knew the photos would be classified, but wanted them so he could show his family what he did for a job, according to Fox News U.S. The suspect, who was 22 at the time the photos were taken, said he did not share the images with any unauthorized recipients.

Saucier was convicted of unauthorized retention of national defense information and is currently nine months into his 12-month sentence, according to the New London Day. Trump had said during a late January televised interview with Sean Hannity that he was looking into Saucier's case and thought the suspect's conviction and punishment was overkill.

See also: Imprisoned Former Groton Navy Sailor Seeking Presidential Pardon

• Lawyer of Groton Sailor Facing Photo Charges Compares Client to Hillary Clinton

Despite these remarks, Saucier's waiver request was denied by the Office of the Pardon Attorney on May 30, the New London Day reported. Saucier's lawyer said the response was both unsigned and sent to the the wrong attorney, which he called unprofessional and an indication Saucier's case never got to the Department of Justice or Trump.

Saucier's lawyer had previously compared his client's case to the charges faced by Hilary Clinton concerning the handling of classified emails, the New London Day reported in August. At the time, Saucier had taken a plea deal that involved a sentence of 63 to 78 months in prison.

Saucier had signed a petition that claimed the Justice Department cracked down on him as an example to those who mishandle secrets amid the Clinton investigation, as reported by the Washington Times. The rejection letter said Saucier's case was deemed "not so unusual" as to justify the waiver.

Saucier is now due for release in September from the Federal Medical Center at Fort Devens in western Massachusetts, according to the Washington Times. He has been sentenced by a federal judge to six months of home confinement following his release.

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