Governor Jerry Brown has issued over 1,400 pardons during his time governing California. True to his former Jesuit seminarian ways, Brown times these kinds of decisions around significant Christian holidays year after year.
This Christmas, Jerry Brown pardoned 150 convicted criminal immigrants, reducing sentences for many who remain incarcerated. Two Cambodian refugee immigrants Rottanak Kong and Mony Neth got included among the pardoned individuals.
This decision marks the second consecutive round of pardons where Brown has intervened on behalf of immigrants. These decisions come two months after Brown agreed to make California a sanctuary state, limiting cooperation with federal enforcement of immigration laws.
The “full and unconditional pardons” for Kong and Neth say both men have become law-abiding citizens and paid their debts to society. Kong got convicted of vehicle theft and evading a peace officer with disregard for safety in 2003, and later sentenced for possessing drugs in prison.
He served seven months in prison and two years on parole. After his sentence, Kong has lived an honest and upright life, exhibiting good moral character and conducting himself as a law-abiding citizen.
Neth got convicted for weapons and stolen property charges. After serving 21 months in prison and three years parole, he finally received his pardon on December 6th.
This article was inspired by KTSF 26 // California governor pardons immigrants facing deportation.