Governor Hochul Grants Clemency to Thirteen Individuals

Governor Kathy Hochul today granted clemency in the form of a pardon to 11 individuals and a commutation to two individuals. This action recognizes people who have demonstrated remorse, exemplified rehabilitation and displayed a commitment to improving themselves and their communities. After implementing procedural reforms to strengthen the clemency process, Governor Hochul has made a total of 120 grants of clemency during her time in office.

"After thoughtful consideration and analysis by a panel of independent experts, I am granting clemency to 13 individuals who have demonstrated remorse, rehabilitation and improvement in themselves and their communities," Governor Hochul said. "Since taking office, my Administration has made significant changes to New York's clemency program to make the process more effective, fair, and transparent, and I remain committed to working with law enforcement, victims' rights groups, prosecutors and reform advocates to ensure a fair and responsible clemency process for all individuals seeking relief in New York."

The Governor's Office has taken a number of steps to improve transparency and communication in the clemency process. The Executive Clemency Bureau has implemented a new policy of sending regular letters to individuals with clemency applications, informing them of their case status, and providing information about how to submit supplemental information in support of their applications. The Governor's Office also launched an updated online web hub to assist clemency applicants with the application process; this hub includes template clemency application forms to provide prospective applicants with improved guidance about what information to include when they apply.

The Governor also convened a Clemency Advisory Panel composed of impartial experts to assist in advising the Governor on clemency applications. Following recommendations from the Clemency Advisory Panel, Governor Hochul is granting clemency to 13 individuals.

Pardons

Individuals receiving a pardon today have lived crime-free lives for a significant period of time - in most cases for over 25 years - and have demonstrated positive contributions to their communities. Several of today's pardon recipients were convicted of an offense while living in New York State, but they have since relocated to other states. All pardon recipients continue to be negatively impacted by their criminal conviction(s) despite having successfully served their sentence(s) many years ago. The Governor's pardons will help alleviate these burdens.

Peter Asan, 60, was convicted of Attempted Robbery in the First Degree in 1989.

Rolando Perdomo, 67, was convicted of Assault in 1988 and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree in 1985.

Vivian Jackson, 67, was convicted between 1992 and 1999 of Attempted Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (4x), Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree (5x), Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree, and Criminal Trespass in the Third Degree.

Dolly Castrillon, 45, was convicted of Attempted Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree in 1996.

Jawid Naim, 48, was convicted of Robbery in the Second Degree in 1995.

Michael Elias, 54, was convicted of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree in 1988.

Sixto Carrasquillo Jr., 56, was convicted of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree in 1988.

Edwin Buxo, 57, was convicted of Attempted Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree in 1997.

Denise De Simone Fierro, 60, was convicted of two counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree in 1987.

Dr. Eduardo Rocha, 57, was convicted of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree in 1986.

Ruben Lindo, 40, was convicted of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree in 2012 and 2007.

Commutations

Terrance Cole, 59, was convicted of four counts of Burglary in the Second Degree in 2014. Mr. Cole is a U.S. Air Force veteran who served in the military for four years. A few years after he was honorably discharged, Mr. Cole began to struggle with an addiction to heroin. His convictions stem from his inability to overcome a substance use disorder. He was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison as a persistent offender. He has now served over 11.5 years in prison. While incarcerated, he has pursued education and earned his associates degree. Under his original sentence, Mr. Cole would not see the Board of Parole until 2034, when he would be almost 70 years old. His sentence is being commuted to allow him an earlier opportunity to appear before the Board of Parole so that the board can make a determination about whether he is suitable for parole.

Raphael Jackson, 53, was convicted of two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree. He was sentenced to 16 years to life in prison as a persistent offender. At a young age, Mr. Jackson was a victim of domestic violence and was exposed to drug use. He became addicted to crack cocaine as a 16-year-old, and this led him to committing several offenses. He has now served over 10 years in prison without any disciplinary infractions. While incarcerated, he became serious about his Christian faith, helping other incarcerated individuals as a Chaplain's clerk. He also became passionate about the law and has worked as a paralegal's assistant and then a law library clerk, providing legal assistance to other incarcerated individuals during most of his prison term. Under his original sentence, Mr. Jackson would not see the Board of Parole until 2031, when he would be almost 60 years old. His sentence is being commuted to allow him an earlier opportunity to appear before the Board of Parole so that the board can make a determination about whether he is suitable for parole.

Contact the Governor's Press Office