2 Michiganders Among President Biden's First Wave Of Pardons

MICHIGAN — Two Michigan prisoners were among President Biden's first wave of pardons, according to a Tuesday White House news release.

Biden commuted the sentence of Grand Rapids resident Mario Cruz, who was sentenced to 121 months of prison and a three-year term of supervised release in 2017. He was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute an unspecified quantity of cocaine and heroin.

Cruz's sentence will expire on April 26, 2023, and he will serve the three-year supervised release in home confinement, the news release said.

Biden also commuted the sentence of Burton resident Jesse Alan Trimue, who was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five grams of actual methamphetamine and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine mixture in Tennessee. He was sentenced to 120 months of prison and and an eight-year term of supervised release in 2016.

Trimue's sentence will expire on April 26, 2023, and he will serve an eight-year supervised release in home confinement, the news release said.

In addition to the two Michiganders, Biden pardon three people and commuted the sentence of 75 others, all of whom were convicted of non-violent drug-related crimes.

"America is a nation of laws and second chances, redemption, and rehabilitation. Elected officials on both sides of the aisle, faith leaders, civil rights advocates, and law enforcement leaders agree that our criminal justice system can and should reflect these core values that enable safer and stronger communities," Biden said.