PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – President Barack Obama has commuted the sentences of dozens of federal prisoners, including six from South Florida.
A total of 61 prisoners were granted commutations of their sentences Wednesday. Eleven of them were from Florida, including six from Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties.
Henry Agnew, of Miami, was convicted of cocaine distribution and sentenced to more than 21 years in prison. His sentence will now end July 28.
Marvin Bailey, of Hollywood, was also convicted of cocaine distribution. He was sentenced to life in prison, but his sentence will now expire March 30, 2017.
Carmel Bretous, of Miami, was convicted of cocaine distribution and sentenced to more than 19 years in prison. He will now be released July 28.
Andrew Holzendorf, of South Bay, was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. He was sentenced to life in prison, but he will also be released July 28.
Wayne Parker, of Miami, was convicted of cocaine distribution and sentenced to 35 years in prison. He is also scheduled to be released July 28.
Jeffrey Sapp, of Fort Lauderdale, was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine. His release is scheduled for July 28.
Local 10 News reporter Carlos Suarez spoke to the family of Bailey, who said that Bailey's niece wrote a letter to the president as part of Bailey's clemency application.
Bailey's niece received a letter from the White House and Department of Justice acknowledging her letter to the president and thanking her for "taking the time to share your thoughts with us."
"I'm so glad that he's coming home," Bailey's mother, Annie Bailey, told Local 10 News reporter Carlos Suarez. "I thank God. I really do. I've been praying for this day."
The president invited some of the inmates who sentences he commuted to lunch.
"It's the right thing to do, it's the smart thing to do and I just appreciate the testimony of all the people here at this table," Obama said.
News of the president's decision traveled fast as Marvin Bailey immediately called his mother to tell her the news.
""He said, 'Mom, I have some good news,' and I said, 'I got some good news, too,'" Annie Bailey said.
More than a third of the prisoners that will soon be released were serving life sentences for drug crimes. The White House said the commutations are part of the president's push to change tough sentencing guidelines for non-violent drug offenses.
"These are individuals with families and children and parents who love them, and they've made mistakes, but take responsibility for it," Obama said.
The other Florida prisoners are Willie Cameron, of Panama City Beach; Dexter Dickens, of Panama City; Robert Lane, of Bradenton; Anthony Lewis, of Tampa; and Melissa Ross, of Daytona Beach.
