A nonprofit leader supporting at-risk youth in New Orleans. A social worker who cares for animals. A counselor and recovery coach who volunteers with organizations that combat sexual assault and domestic violence.
They are among approximately 1,540 people whose sentences were commuted or pardoned by President Joe Biden on Thursday. This was the largest one-day act of grace in newfangled history.
But not everyone was joyful with Biden’s decisions. A Republican senator said compensating a woman who stole $54 million from a miniature Illinois town would be “a slap in the face” to residents.
Here are some of their stories:
TRYNITHA FULTON, 46, OF NEW ORLEANS
Fulton was pardoned after pleading guilty to participating in a wage fraud scheme while working as a middle school teacher in New Orleans in the early 2000s. She was convicted of a felony and sentenced to three years probation in 2008.
Fulton, who has two children and works as an elementary school teacher, said she lived for years with “a sense of embarrassment and shame” over being convicted of a crime.
Although she completed her master’s degree in educational leadership in 2017, Fulton felt that her criminal record barred her from applying for leadership positions she felt she could handle.
“The conviction has served as a mental barrier for me and limited my ability to live a fulfilling life,” Fulton said.
Nearly a decade after she first sought a presidential pardon, Fulton received a call this week telling her the pardon had been granted. “It was amazing to me, I wasn’t expecting a phone call,” Fulton said, adding that the pardon will allow her to explore more career options.
A White House press release praised Fulton as “someone who advocates for his community.” For years, Fulton has helped run a nonprofit that supports at-risk youth in New Orleans with heated meals, clothing and shelter, as well as mental health referrals.
STEVONI DOYLE, 47, OF SANTAQUIN, UTAH
Doyle applied for a pardon six years ago. It had been so long that she had almost forgotten about it – until Wednesday.
“I was in shock,” Doyle said of the call she received from a Justice Department pardon attorney. “And honored.”
Doyle, who was once addicted to meth, pleaded guilty to drug possession and check forgery at age 24. She served more than two years in state and federal prison.
After his release in 2006, Doyle decided to stay neat. She started a family, earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree, and now works as a social worker at a behavioral health center.
Doyle applied for a pardon in 2018 and heard nothing about it until the FBI came forward in 2020 – and the review began.
“They talked to my boss, my boss’s boss, they talked to my mom’s boss, they called my doctors,” Doyle said. “They have contacted virtually everyone who has had any kind of relationship with me over the last 20 years.”
After the review was completed, she had to wait a little longer: four years, as it turned out.
“I just want people to know that they are in the addiction crisis, or for families to know that if they have someone in their family who is an addict, there is hope,” Doyle said Thursday. “This has just brought me and my family so much joy and is just a continuation of my recovery.”
She has five children and three grandchildren, volunteers in her community, cares for animals and competes in roller derby racing.
RITA CRUNDWELL, 71, OF DIXON, ILLINOIS
Crundwell was sentenced in 2013 to more than 19 years in prison for stealing about $54 million over two decades when she was in charge of the finances of Dixon, Illinois.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, she was released to a halfway house program in 2021 before going into home isolation. Biden’s conversion frees Crundwell from any restrictions.
Paul Gaziano, an attorney who represented Crundwell in federal court, declined to comment Thursday.
Dixon Mayor Glen Hughes said he believes most of the city is likely stunned and perhaps even enraged that Biden would grant Crundwell clemency. Republican Senator Andrew Chesney called Biden’s actions “nothing less than a slap in the face to the people of Dixon.”
Dixon, best known as the childhood home of President Ronald Reagan, sued auditors and a bank after Crundwell’s theft was discovered, seeking $40 million in damages.
Crundwell, a horse breeder, told a judge in 2020 that more than $15 million was repaid through the sale of her horses and other assets.
“I will do everything I can to make amends for my mistakes,” she told the judge in a handwritten letter in which she described various health problems. “I took responsibility for my actions from day one.”
BRANDON CASTROFLAY, 49, OF ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA
Castroflay was pardoned after pleading guilty to nonviolent drug offenses at age 21, the White House said.
After serving his prison sentence, Castroflay continued his career in the United States Army and then worked as a civilian for both the Army and Air Force, receiving several awards.
In addition to his full-time job, he took evening classes to earn a bachelor’s degree.
Castroflay volunteers with several charities that support Gold Star families and wounded military personnel. Those who know him describe him as exceptionally hard-working, dedicated and trustworthy.
SHANNAN FAULKNER, 56, OF MULDROW, OKLAHOMA
Faulkner was pardoned after pleading guilty to a nonviolent drug offense and serving her sentence, the White House said.
Since then, Faulkner has continued her education and now works as a counselor and recovery coach for female trauma victims and people with disabilities.
Faulkner also volunteers with organizations dedicated to sexual assault and domestic violence prevention, as well as local charities.
Colleagues attest to her inspiring character, her integrity and the remarkable impact she has on the lives of the people she helps.
TERENCE JACKSON, 36, OF SEATTLE
Terence Jackson of Seattle was pardoned after pleading guilty to a nonviolent drug offense he committed when he was 23.
Had Jackson been convicted under current law and sentencing practice, he likely would have received a shorter sentence, the White House said.
In the years since his release, Jackson has worked in the legal industry and is pursuing a degree alongside his full-time job.
Jackson has also done volunteer work, including as a hairdresser for needy children. Those who know him describe him as reliable and caring and someone who always tries to aid others.
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Associated Press writers Jack Brook in New Orleans, Ed White in Detroit, Mead Gruver in Cheyenne, Wyo. and Lisa Baumann in Bellingham, Washington, contributed to this report.
