37 Iowans among Biden’s drug sentencing commutations

President Joe Biden announced Thursday he is commuting the lengthy sentences of 37 drug offenders in Iowa — among nearly 1,500 nationwide — who were convicted in federal courts.

They mostly are people who trafficked large quantities of drugs but were transferred from prisons to home confinement at least a year ago to help stem the spread of COVID-19 at correctional facilities. Biden’s action is expected to end their prison terms.

“These Americans have been reunited with their families and shown their commitment to rehabilitation by securing employment and advancing their education,” the White House said in a statement.

The Iowa commutations are among 1,499 — along with 39 pardons — that the White House described as “the largest single-day grant of clemency in modern history.”

Biden has said he regrets his support for federal legislation three decades ago that stiffened penalties for drug offenders. Those who received commutations were convicted of non-violent crimes and would have received shorter prison terms if sentenced under current guidelines, the White House said.

No one who was convicted in federal courts in Iowa received a pardon. Those who received commutations had been sentenced to as much as 35 years in prison. The convictions date to 2004.

They include a rodeo clown from Marion who grew marijuana near secluded farm fields in Jones County, a Cedar Rapids man who hid methamphetamine in stuffed animals that were discovered during an elementary school event and a Cedar Rapids woman who was found with more than a pound of meth at her home where she lived with her three children.

The commutations announced Thursday were for:

• John Adams, who was sentenced in 2019 to 10 years in prison for methamphetamine distribution.

• Benjamin Allmon, who was sentenced in 2018 to 13 years in prison for meth distribution.

• Bernard Arre, who was sentenced in 2011 to 20 years in prison for meth distribution and possession of a handgun.

• Austin Bertch, who was sentenced in 2016 to nearly 15 years in prison for meth distribution.

• Shelle Brooks, who was sentenced in 2011 to 20 years in prison for meth distribution.

• Seui Cavan, who was sentenced in 2010 to 20 years in prison for meth and crack cocaine distribution.

• Quantez Cribbs, who was sentenced in 2009 to more than 23 years in prison for distributing a relatively small amount of crack cocaine.

• Lisa Davis, who was sentenced in 2016 to 14 years in prison for manufacturing meth.

• Michael Elliott Jr., who was sentenced in 2018 to more than 11 years in prison for meth distribution.

• Patrick Florang, who was sentenced in 2007 to more than 24 years in prison for meth distribution and possession of firearms.

• Manuel Garcia Zuniga, who was sentenced in 2019 to nine years in prison for meth distribution.

• Danielle Graves, who was sentenced in 2017 to more than 11 years in prison for meth distribution.

• Brandon Harders, who was sentenced in 2018 to 11 years in prison for meth distribution.

• Sidney Hines, who was sentenced in 2009 to 25 years in prison for crack cocaine distribution.

• Stephanie Holbrook, who was sentenced in 2020 to more than seven years in prison for meth distribution.

• Rodney King, who was sentenced in 2005 to 30 years in prison for meth distribution.

• Mathew Kinneer, who was sentenced in 2018 to 10 years in prison for meth distribution.

• Cynthia Koons, who was sentenced in 2011 to 20 years in prison for meth distribution.

• Martin Lawrence, the Cedar Rapids man who hid drugs in stuffed animals and was sentenced in 2016 to 25 years in prison for meth distribution.

• Michael McIntosh, who was sentenced in 2015 to nearly 16 years in prison for meth distribution.

• Rory Meeks, the Marion rodeo clown, was sentenced in 2013 to 20 years in prison for manufacturing marijuana.

• Michael Mikesell, who was sentenced in 2012 to 20 years in prison for meth manufacturing and distribution.

• Mathias Pizano, who was sentenced in 2004 to 35 years in prison for cocaine and marijuana distribution and money laundering.

• Dara Redmond, a Cedar Rapids woman who stored drugs in her home with three children, was sentenced in 2019 to 10 years in prison for meth distribution.

• Brenda Ruehlow, who was sentenced in 2018 to more than 10 years in prison for meth distribution.

• Shawna Ruby, who was sentenced in 2019 to nine years in prison for meth distribution.

• Rocky Sloan, who was sentenced in 2019 to 10 years in prison for meth distribution and possession of a firearm.

• Cordney Smith, who was sentenced in 2020 to eight years in prison for cocaine distribution.

• Dustin Sullivan, who was sentenced in 2017 to more than 13 years in prison for fentanyl distribution.

• Jackie Thielen, who was sentenced in 2019 to 10 years in prison for meth distribution.

• Andrew Tucker-Moreno, who was sentenced in 2016 to 12 years in prison for meth distribution.

• William Vanatti, who was sentenced in 2018 to 10 years in prison for meth distribution.

• Justin Vasey, who was sentenced in 2018 to nearly 11 years in prison for meth distribution.

• Ronald Walstrom, who was sentenced in 2012 to 20 years in prison for meth distribution.

• Lavell Williams, who was sentenced in 2008 to nearly 22 years in prison for crack cocaine distribution.

• Peggy Worthington, who was sentenced in 2018 to nearly 12 years in prison for meth distribution.

• Enrique Zuniga, who was sentenced in 2018 to nearly 12 years in prison for meth distribution.

There is no parole for the federal prison system, but inmates can reduce their sentences with good behavior.

Trish Mehaffey of The Gazette contributed to this article.

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