Biden’s criminal justice reform efforts are under intense scrutiny after a man who received clemency from the former President found himself back behind bars just weeks after his release. The case raises serious questions about Biden’s judgment and the efficacy of his administration’s approach to criminal justice reform.
At a glance:
• Willie Frank Peterson was arrested on drug and firearms charges just weeks after Biden commuted his sentence
• Peterson was originally sentenced to 75 months in prison in August 2023 before Biden reduced it to just 20 months
• Biden commuted Peterson’s sentence on January 17, just before leaving office
• Peterson was involved in a conspiracy with Dothan pastor Kenneth Glasgow, who is related to Al Sharpton
• Biden commuted nearly 2,500 sentences on his final day, setting a record for the most individual pardons and commutations by a U.S. president
Biden Clemency Recipient Back in Jail
Willie Frank Peterson, a recipient of President Biden’s last-minute clemency spree, is facing serious new charges just weeks after being released from federal prison. Dothan police arrested Peterson on Monday for possession of cocaine, hydrocodone, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and two counts of illegally possessing firearms.
This arrest comes a mere two months after former President Biden commuted Peterson’s 75-month prison sentence on January 17, just before leaving office. Peterson had been convicted on federal drug charges and originally sentenced to six years and three months in prison by a federal judge in August 2023.
Biden’s decision to reduce Peterson’s sentence to just 20 months resulted in his release from prison in late January. The former President’s clemency actions were part of a sweeping initiative that freed nearly 2,500 convicted criminals, which Biden proudly touted as the “largest single-day grant of clemency” in American history.
Questionable Connections
Court records reveal Peterson was involved in a conspiracy with Kenneth Glasgow, a Dothan pastor who happens to be related to liberal activist Al Sharpton. Glasgow himself was sentenced to 30 months in prison for drug and theft charges, though prosecutors admitted they had no evidence he directly sold drugs.
Mr. Glasgow was placed on probation on December 31, shortly before Peterson received his commutation from Biden. The connection between Peterson, Glasgow, and Sharpton has prompted some to question whether political connections played a role in Biden’s clemency decision.
Man who had prison sentence commuted by Biden now facing drug, firearms-related charges https://t.co/HuQB5hVkEV
— Fox News (@FoxNews) March 20, 2025
Biden’s Failed Approach to Criminal Justice
Peterson’s case points to the many fundamental flaws in Biden’s approach to criminal justice reform. The former President commuted the sentences of thousands of convicted criminals, claiming it was “an important step toward righting historic wrongs, correcting sentencing disparities, and providing deserving individuals the opportunity to return to their families and communities.”
In December, Biden also commuted the sentences of 37 out of 40 men on federal death row, asserting it was “consistent with the moratorium my Administration has imposed on federal executions.” This decision was widely criticized by law enforcement officials and victims’ advocates as placing political ideology above public safety.
Peterson has posted bond for his most recent charges, which are being handled in Houston County court.
