Gov. Asa Hutchinson is planning to grant five pardons to Arkansas individuals. He also announced his intention to make one commutation.
Hutchinson intends to pardon Edward Z. Barnett of Pine Bluff, Kevin Hunt of Little Rock, Gary W. Johnson Sr. of Quitman, Jeremy Stephens of Russell, and Benjamin W. Thomas of Greenwood. Only one law enforcement objection was filed against one of the pardons; the prosecuting attorney has objected to Hunt’s pardon.
Barnett was convicted for felony possession of stolen property, felony aggravated assault, possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) and being a felon in possession of a firearm. His convictions took place in 1975, 1983 and 1991.
Johnson was convicted of third-degree battery, a misdemeanor, in 2002. Stephens was convicted of felony possession of drug paraphernalia in 2001. Thomas was convicted of commercial burglary and two counts of theft of property in 2000 and 2001.
Hunt was convicted of felony aggravated robbery, misdemeanor fleeing and misdemeanor refusal to submit to arrest. His convictions took place in Pulaski County in 1991 and 1994.
Hutchinson plans to commute the sentence of Hattie Vanhoose Vance, who was convicted of possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) with intent to deliver. Vance was convicted in Sevier County in 2007 for 180 months. The commutation will reduce her sentence to time served.
No law enforcement objections were filed for Vance’s commutation.
READ MORE: Hillman Continues as Arkansas Farm Bureau President
