Governor Kathy Hochul has granted clemency to 13 people, issuing 11 pardons and two sentence commutations, according to an announcement from her office on Wednesday.
The actions bring the total number of clemency grants made during Hochul’s time in office to 120. State officials said the clemency decisions followed a review process that included recommendations from an independent Clemency Advisory Panel.
The Governor’s Office said the recipients were selected based on factors including time since conviction, conduct since release or during incarceration, and the impact of their convictions on their lives.
Pardons
Eleven individuals received pardons. According to the state, most had lived crime-free for decades and had completed their sentences many years ago. Those pardoned were:
- Peter Asan, 60 — convicted of attempted robbery in the first degree in 1989
- Rolando Perdomo, 67 — convicted of assault in 1988 and drug possession offenses in 1985
- Vivian Jackson, 67 — convicted between 1992 and 1999 of multiple drug offenses, criminal mischief, and trespass
- Dolly Castrillon, 45 — convicted of attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance in 1996
- Jawid Naim, 48 — convicted of robbery in the second degree in 1995
- Michael Elias, 54 — convicted of drug possession and weapon possession in 1988
- Sixto Carrasquillo Jr., 56 — convicted of criminal possession of a weapon in 1988
- Edwin Buxo, 57 — convicted of attempted drug possession in 1997
- Denise De Simone Fierro, 60 — convicted of two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in 1987
- Dr. Eduardo Rocha, 57 — convicted of criminal possession of a controlled substance in 1986
- Ruben Lindo, 53 — convicted of grand larceny in the fourth degree in 2007 and 2012
State officials said the pardons are intended to reduce ongoing legal and social consequences associated with old convictions.
Commutations
Two individuals received sentence commutations, making them eligible to appear before the state parole board earlier than originally scheduled:
- Terrance Cole, 59 — convicted of four counts of burglary in the second degree in 2014 and sentenced as a persistent offender to 20 years to life. He has served more than 11 years in prison. His sentence was commuted to allow him an earlier parole hearing.
- Raphael Jackson, 53 — convicted of two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree and sentenced to 16 years to life as a persistent offender. He has served more than 10 years in prison. His sentence was also commuted to allow for earlier parole consideration.
The Governor’s Office said both commutations do not guarantee release, but allow the individuals to be considered for parole sooner by the state parole board.
State officials also noted that recent changes have been made to the clemency process, including the creation of the Clemency Advisory Panel and improvements to applicant communication and transparency.
The clemency decisions were announced by the Governor’s Office earlier this week.
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