CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. – A U.S. Navy veteran from Florida was one of the 39 people pardoned by President Joe Biden in the largest single-day act of clemency in modern history this week.
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Jose Antonio Rodriguez, 55, pleaded guilty to bank embezzlement at the age of 26 in 1997, according to the Department of Justice.
Officials said he only served one day in prison and had three years of supervised release with a $500 fine.
Rodriguez was honorably discharged from the Navy and received several medals and awards for his service, including the U.S. Navy Achievement Medal.
The DOJ said Rodriguez started a family, received higher education, and maintained employment in the medical field.
Officials said Rodriguez’s colleagues and friends describe him as “compassionate, empathetic, and dedicated to treating patients.”
Biden said he wanted to give mercy to those who demonstrated remorse and rehabilitation.
“That is why I am pardoning 39 people who have shown successful rehabilitation and have shown commitment to making their communities stronger and safer,” Biden said in a statement. “I am also commuting the sentences of nearly 1,500 people who are serving long prison sentences --many of whom would receive lower sentences if charged under today’s laws, policies, and practices.”
Click here to see the full list of 39 pardons and 1,499 commutations.