Florida Sheriff Calls Out Barack Obama On Prison Releases

POLK COUNTY, FL — President Barack Obama’s announcement that he’d commuted the sentences of 61 convicted felons across the country has one Florida sheriff crying foul.

“As your Sheriff, I am appalled that convicted felons are being let out of prison before finishing their sentences,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd wrote on Facebook. “These are felons – many convicted of handling KILOS of illegal drugs and illegally possessing firearms used during crimes.”

Obama’s decision to commute the sentences of 61 prisoners brings his total number of commutations up to 248, according to the White House website.

That number is “more than the previous six Presidents combined, the White House reported. “And, in total, he has commuted 92 life sentences.”

The move, the White House asserted, is one meant to provide a second chance to “individuals serving years in prison under outdated and unduly harsh sentencing laws.”

Judd disagrees.

“These felons were convicted and sentenced, and they should remain in prison until their sentences have been fulfilled,” he wrote. “Ladies and gentlemen, this is outrageous.”

The Washington Post published a list of those granted clemency by Obama Wednesday. That list includes 11 Floridians serving time in federal prison on a variety of drug-related charges. One man, Anthony Lee Lewis of Tampa, was sentenced to life in prison on Sept. 16, 1994, for charges that included conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine. He was also found guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm. After Obama’s commutation, his sentenced now expires on March 30, 2017, according to the Post.

“How can law abiding citizens be safe from harm when felons who belong in prison are released back into your communities,” Judd asked.

In a letter sent to the 61 people who received clemency, Obama wrote:

“The power to grant pardons and commutations… embodies the basic belief in our democracy that people deserve a second chance after having made a mistake in their lives that led to a conviction under our laws.”

Those receiving clemency were also reminded that “what they do with this unexpected opportunity reflects not only on each individual person, but also on all those still behind bars who are seeking that same shot at a new life.”

Obama, the White House said, intends to issue more grants of clemency while working to strengthen rehabilitation programs throughout the remainder of his term in office.

Graphic courtesy of the Obama Administration/Photo of Grady Judd from the sheriff's office Facebook page