Biden Grants Clemency For FL Church Volunteer, 10 Others

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Joe Biden approved on Wednesday clemency for 11 people, and one of them is a church volunteer from Palatka in Putnam Countyu.

Additionally, a Miami resident was one of five people to have their sentence commuted.

The White House said in a news release clemency was granted for people who were convicted of non-violent drug offenses, including Beverly Holcy, also known as Beverly Canty.

Holcy, 59, pleaded guilty to a non-violent drug offense when she was 27 years old, according to the release. She successfully served her sentence and completed her probation obligations.

Since her release, Holcy has been fully employed, volunteers at her church, and assists in various community activities, WCJB reported. “Coworkers, friends, and neighbors describe her as honest, trustworthy, dependable, reliable, hardworking, and compassionate,” officials said in the release.

In addition to the 11 clemencies, Biden commuted sentences for Miami resident Jophaney Hyppolite and four others.

Hyppolite was convicted on suspicion of conspiracy to manufacture and to possess with intent to distribute more than 280 grams cocaine base and distribution and aiding and abetting the distribution of cocaine base.

After being sentenced in January 2013 to life in prison plus 10 years of supervised release, Hyppolite's sentence was commuted to 360 months - leaving intact the 10-year term of supervised release with all its conditions and all other components of the sentence, officials said.

Amid news of his latest clemency actions, Biden said America was built "on the promise of second chances." He issued on March 29 a proclamation deeming April as Second Chance Month.

"Many of these individuals received disproportionately longer sentences than they would have under current law, policy and practice. The pardon recipients have demonstrated their commitment to improving their lives and positively transforming their communities. The commutation recipients have shown that they are deserving of forgiveness and the chance at building a brighter future for themselves beyond prison walls," Biden said in a statement.

"Like my other clemency actions, these pardons and commutations reflect my overarching commitment to addressing racial disparities and improving public safety. While today’s announcement marks important and continued progress, my administration will continue to review clemency petitions and deliver reforms in a manner that advances equal justice, supports rehabilitation and reentry and provides meaningful second chances."

Aside from Florida, residents granted clemency are in Texas, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Connecticut, South Carolina, Virginia, New York and Washington, D.C. Additionally, the sentences of residents in Tennessee and New York were commuted.