Redmond veteran, 70, expresses gratitude for President Biden’s pardon for non-violent drug offense 35 years ago

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- President Biden on Thursday granted clemency consisting of 39 pardons - including a 70-year-old Redmond resident - and 1,499 commutations. The Redmond man and Army veteran expressed gratitude for the action that took more than three decades to come about.

Here are the details about Gary Michael Robinson, as presented by the U.S. Department of Justice in the full list:

"Gary Michael Robinson is a 70-year-old man who pleaded guilty to a non-violent drug offense. Mr. Robinson is a distinguished U.S. Army veteran. During his service, he earned the National Defense Service Medal and other awards. He was honorably discharged and served as a reservist for several years.

"Since his conviction, he has built a successful firefighting and habitat preservation business. He volunteers in his community, gives regularly to charity, and is well-regarded by friends and associates. Mr. Robinson is described by those who know him as honest, trustworthy, and professional."

When NewsChannel 21 read the DOJ's summary to Robinson, he told us, "That's really nice to hear. I really hadn't heard that."

According to the Salem Statesman Journal, filings with the Oregon Secretary of State's Office show Robinson was president of Pacific Habitat and Fire, Inc., from 2016 to 2020, and was secretary for several years prior.

The 39 people being pardoned Thursday have shown "commitment to making their communities stronger and safer," the president said. Most were convicted of drug offenses.

Robinson told us in a phone conversation, “I was just talking to a really close friend of mine.” He added that he is “a very private person,” and didn’t want to go into details of the crime, which he said occurred 35 years ago.

“Honestly, all this was between myself and a bunch of Army buddies of mine way back when,” he said. “It’s an interesting story, but I’d rather keep it to myself. I’d dishonor the story to tell people who are just looking for a news item.”

“It just takes a long time to go through the process,” Robinson said. “I’m very grateful, certainly to the DOJ office and the attorneys there that go through a lot of different” steps, leading in his case to the presidential pardon.

Looking more broadly at how his life has played out since, Robinson shared, “You start from scratch, no matter where you are. Really, your work ethic and drive to success” can help overcome obstacles and “have a good life.”

Executive clemency is a broad term that applies to the president's constitutional power to exercise leniency toward persons who have committed federal crimes, according to the DOJ.

A commutation of sentence "reduces a sentence, either totally or partially, that is then being served, but it does not change the fact of conviction, imply innocence, or remove civil disabilities that apply to the convicted person as a result of the criminal conviction," the DOJ says, according to USA Today.

Additionally, a commutation of sentence may include the lifting of any financial obligations that are imposed as part of a sentence, such as a fine or restitution, and has no effect on a person's immigration status and will not prevent removal or deportation from the U.S.

Pardons can also function as an "expression of the president's forgiveness," the DOJ notes. They are often granted "in recognition of the applicant's acceptance of responsibility for the crime and established good conduct for a significant period of time after conviction or completion of sentence."

While a pardon does not signify innocence, it does remove civil disabilities – such as restrictions on the right to vote, hold state or local office, or sit on a jury – imposed because of the conviction for which pardon is sought, and "should lessen the stigma arising from the conviction," according to the DOJ.

In some circumstances, a pardon will eliminate the legal basis for removal or deportation from the U.S., the DOJ notes.

To be eligible to apply for commutation of sentence, a person must have reported to prison to begin serving their sentence and may not be challenging his conviction in the courts, the DOJ says.

"A person is not eligible to apply for a presidential pardon until a minimum of five years has elapsed since (their) release from any form of confinement imposed upon (them) as part of a sentence for (their) most recent criminal conviction, whether or not that is the conviction for which (they are) seeking the pardon," the DOJ's website reads.