Evers grants pardons to nine more individuals
MADISON - Gov. Tony Evers has granted nine more pardons, raising the total to 56 since he took office.
“Pardons are more than just a signature on paper, they offer new opportunities, second chances and forgiveness for folks who have bettered their communities and made amends,” Evers said.
“I believe in second chances and in the positive impact pardons can have on our criminal justice system and communities, so I am glad to pardon these nine individuals.”
A pardon grants full legal forgiveness for a crime and removes any remaining prison sentence, probation conditions or unpaid fines, as well as restores the right to vote, hold professional licenses or run for public office.
It does not result in the expungement of a criminal record, though.
Evers granted pardons to the following individuals:
Jason Ceslok: Ceslok stole a snowmobile when he was 18. Now 41 and married with a daughter, he has worked for Minhas Craft Brewery for 15 years.
Steven Dummer: At 17, Dummer stole a vehicle from an auto dealership and took it joyriding. Now 64, he has maintained employment and, with his pardon, hopes to travel to Canada to fish.
Corey Dusso: When he was 16 years old, Dusso took the car of a friend’s mom joyriding after drinking. Now 38, Dusso lives in La Crosse.
Heather Hafemann-Biles: In her early 20s, struggling with drug addiction, Hafemann-Biles drove a getaway vehicle while her then-husband burglarized various residences. Now sober and a mother of three, she works at a chocolate factory.
James Jerrett: Jerrett stole alcohol from multiple establishments when he was 17. Now 49, he is married, with children and grandchildren, and owns and operates a body shop.
Willie Patterson Jr.: In his early 20s, Patterson Jr. stole from two employers. He went on to attend Milwaukee Area Technical College and is now married with children.
Danny Powers: At 18, Powers was convicted of robbery. Now 66, he is retired after a lifetime of consistent employment and is married with three kids and “a whole bunch of grandkids.” With a pardon, he would like to travel to Canada to visit his wife’s family.
James Shurson: Shurson sold marijuana to an undercover agent when he was 22. Now 56, he owns his own business and lives in West Salem.
Corey Tielens: When he was 20, Tielens committed a hit and run. Nineteen years later, he has maintained employment and is a part-owner of rental properties. He hopes to obtain a notary license with the pardon.
The pardons come on the heels of the Democratic governor’s refusal to consider any clemency requests from inmates in overcrowded and overheated prisons.
Inmates and their family members have reported troubling conditions, including poor ventilation, high temperatures and the impossibility of social distancing in state prisons.
At least one Wisconsin prison has reached at least 87 degrees this summer, intensifying health concerns in what is already considered one of the most dangerous environments during the coronavirus pandemic.
Individuals convicted of a Wisconsin felony may apply for a pardon if they completed their sentence at least five years ago and have not committed any new crimes.
The Governor’s Pardon Advisory Board will reconvene virtually on Aug. 18. Evers’ predecessor, Scott Walker, suspended the pardon advisory board and never used the process during his eight-year tenure.