Obama Commutes 102 Sentences, Includes Largo Man Serving Life Sentence

LARGO, FL — President Barack Obama commuted the sentences of 102 prisoners on Thursday. Many of those individuals expected to serve decades more behind bars. The commutations Thursday bring the total for Obama's term to 774 — more than the past 11 presents combined.

They include Todd Fitzgerald Frazier, of Largo, who was serving life in prison for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base or crack cocaine. Frazier's sentence was commuted to 262 months in prison, or 21 years and 10 months.

Frazier was convicted following an October 2004 traffic stop that led to the discovery of the drugs in the car. Many of Obama's commutations have involved non-violent drug convictions.

The president has been an outspoken critic of mandatory-minimum sentencing, including comments last year following a visit to El Reno Federal Penitentiary.

"This is costing taxpayers across America $80 billion a year," he said. "When we’re looking at nonviolent offenders, most of them growing up in environments in which the drug traffic is common, where many of their family members may have been involved in the drug trade, we have to reconsider whether 20-year, 30-year, life sentences for nonviolent crimes is the best way for us to solve these problems."

Many of Obamas commutations involve righting "unduly harsh sentences under outdated laws for committing largely nonviolent drug crimes," noted Neil Eggleston, White House counsel to the president, following the last round of commutations.

"We must remember that these are individuals -- sons, daughters, parents, and in many cases, grandparents -- who have taken steps toward rehabilitation and who have earned their second chance," Eggleston wrote on the White House blog.

Obama has commuted the sentences of 125 Florida inmates since taking office, including seven other inmates on Thursday:

• Benjy Neil Allums – Niceville, FL, Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine; Northern District of Florida Sentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release; $500 fine (June 28, 2005), Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on February 3, 2017.
• Virgil Leon Darville – Boynton Beach, FL, Offense: Conspiracy to distribute at least 50 grams of cocaine base and at least 500 grams of powder cocaine; Southern District of Florida Sentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (February 20, 2009), Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on February 3, 2017.
• Jefferson Levine – Hollywood, FL Offense: Possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base; Southern District of Florida Sentence: Life imprisonment; five years' supervised release (July 16, 2001), Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 327 months' imprisonment.
• Ricky Gene Minor – Niceville, FL Offense: Attempt to manufacture methamphetamine; Northern District of Florida Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (August 22, 2001), Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 262 months' imprisonment.
• Raul Perez – Miami, FL Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine; Middle District of Florida Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (September 27, 2001), Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 292 months' imprisonment.
• Ronald Lee Razz – West Palm Beach, FL Offense: Maintaining a drug-involved premises; possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of cocaine base; Southern District of Florida Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (April 14, 2006), Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 360 months' imprisonment.
• Frank Lavelle Sharpe – Pinetta, FL Offense: Distribution of cocaine base (four counts); Northern District of Florida Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (January 14, 1999), Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 360 months' imprisonment.

Official White House Photo by Pete Souza