Governor Hutchinson today announced his intention to grant 14 pardons and 1 commutation. There is a 30-day public comment period before final action is taken.

An additional 35 clemency requests were denied.

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The requests include inmates and non-inmates. Applicants for pardons have completed all jail time, fulfilled all parole and probation requirements, and paid all related fines.

From the governor’s press release:

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Governor Hutchinson intends to grant pardons to the following people:

William Cariker (Oak Ridge, TN): Grand Larceny (Unclassified Felony) (Case No. 970).
This notice is issued based on the date of conviction (1973 – Crittenden County), the fact that all terms of the applicant’s sentence have been completed and there have been no further criminal-law violations. There are no law enforcement objections to the application.

Tammy Bolyer Easley (Atkins): Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver (C Felony) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (C Felony) (CR 99-1).
This notice is issued based on the date of convictions (1999 – Lonoke County), the fact that all terms of the applicant’s sentence have been completed and there have been no further criminal-law violations. There are no law enforcement objections to the application.

Joey Goshien (Cabot): Hot Check Violation >$200 but <$2,500 (C Felony) (CR 05-672), Possession of a Controlled Substance, Methamphetamine (C Felony) (CR 06-230), Hot Check Violation >$200 but $200 but <$2,500 (C Felony) (CR 06-235), Possession of a Controlled Substance, Methamphetamine (C Felony) (CR 06-301), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (C Felony) (CR 06-301), Hot Check Violation $2,500 or more (B Felony) (CR 06-456), Possession of a Controlled Substance, Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver (Y Felony) (CR 06-556), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (C Felony) (CR 06-556), and Maintaining a Drug Premises (C Felony) (CR 06-556).
This notice is issued based on the date of convictions (2006 – Lonoke County), the fact that all terms of the applicant’s sentence have been completed and there have been no further criminal-law violations. There are no law enforcement objections to the application.

Gregory Harris (Belleville, IL): Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver (Y Felony) (CR 95-202).
This notice is issued based on the date of conviction (1996 – Lonoke County), the fact that all terms of the applicant’s sentence have been completed and there have been no further criminal-law violations. There are no law enforcement objections to the application.

James Herron (Blytheville): Theft of Property (C Felony) (CR 89-17).
This notice is issued based on the date of conviction (1990 – Mississippi County), the fact that all terms of the applicant’s sentence have been completed and there have been no further criminal-law violations. There are no law enforcement objections to the application.

Kevin Junkersfeld (Pocahontas): Possession of a Controlled Substance: Methamphetamine (C Felony) and Possession of Instrument of Crime (A Misdemeanor) (CR 99-3).
This notice is issued based on the date of convictions (1999 – Randolph County), the fact that all terms of the applicant’s sentence have been completed and there have been no further criminal-law violations. There are no law enforcement objections to the application.

Gary Mitchell (Beebe): Theft of Property 2 Counts (C Felony), Breaking or Entering (C Felony), and Theft of Property (Misdemeanor) (CR-88-19).
This notice is issued based on the date of convictions (1988 – White County), the fact that all terms of the applicant’s sentence have been completed and there have been no further criminal-law violations. There are no law enforcement objections to the application.

Noel Padron (Bonner Springs, KS): Possession with Intent to Deliver Schedule II Narcotic (Y Felony) (CR 91-028).
This notice is issued based on the date of conviction (1991 – Crawford County), the fact that all terms of the applicant’s sentence have been completed and there have been no further criminal-law violations. There are no law enforcement objections to the application.

Ben Perkins (Crawfordsville): Theft of Property (B Felony) (CR 99-718B).
This notice is issued based on the date of conviction (1999 – Crittenden County), the fact that all terms of the applicant’s sentence have been completed and there have been no further criminal-law violations. There are no law enforcement objections to the application.

David C. Roberts (Hackett): Possession of Marijuana with Intent (C Felony) (CR 95-83AG).
This notice is issued based on the date of conviction (1996 – Sebastian County), the fact that all terms of the applicant’s sentence have been completed and there have been no further felony criminal-law violations. There are no law enforcement objections to the application.

Roosevelt Smith (Marked Tree): Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Cocaine, 3 Counts (Y Felony) (CR 89-64) and Delivery of a Controlled Substance, 1 count (Y Felony) (CR 89-65).
This notice is issued based on the date of convictions (1989 – Poinsett County), the fact that all terms of the applicant’s sentence have been completed and there have been no further criminal-law violations. There are no law enforcement objections to the application.

Kristi Spurlin (Batesville): Shoplifting (A Misdemeanor) (Case# 2004-C-1006); Possession of a Controlled Substance, Methamphetamine (C Felony) (CR-2004-414).
This notice is issued based on the dates of convictions (2004 and 2005 – White County), the fact that all terms of the applicant’s sentence have been completed and there have been no further criminal-law violations. There are no law enforcement objections to the application.

Howard B. Swayne (Charlottesville, VA): Possession of a Controlled Substance, Marijuana, with Intent to Deliver (C Felony) (CR-09-35).
This notice is issued based on the date of conviction (2009 – Lonoke County), the fact that all terms of the applicant’s sentence have been completed and there have been no further criminal-law violations. There are no law enforcement objections to the application.

Richard Vorwerk (Little Rock): Breaking or Entering (D Felony) (CR 2010-13).
This notice is issued based on the date of conviction (2010 – Pope County), the fact that all terms of the applicant’s sentence have been completed and there have been no further criminal-law violations. There are no law enforcement objections to the application.

Governor Hutchinson intends to grant a commutation of sentence to the following person:

Billy Welch (­­­­ADC #113296): Possession of a Controlled Substance (crystal meth) with intent to Deliver (Habitual Offender) (Y Felony), Possession of a Firearm Certain Persons (Habitual Offender) (D Felony), Simultaneous Possession of Drug/Firearm (Habitual Offender) (Y Felony), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Habitual Offender) (C Felony) (1995-56).
The governor has given notice of his intent to commute the sentence of Billy Welch, who was convicted in Dallas County in 1996 for the above offenses, from a life sentence in the Arkansas Department of Correction to making him immediately parole eligible. There are no law enforcement objections to the application.

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