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Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
After Trump pardon, ex-boxer Charles Duke Tanner uses his second chance for criminal justice reform
'They gave me my whole life back,' Tanner told theGrio after President Trump's pardon czar Alice Johnson told him the life-altering news. When former professional boxer Charles Duke Tanner learned that President Donald Trump had issued him a pardon on May 28, he was completely shocked. 'Like in the boxing world, it was a punch that I didn't see, and you know, those are the ones that knock you out,' Tanner told theGrio days after the life-altering clemency. Tanner was convicted and sentenced to life in 2004 for a first-time drug offense. He'd been part of a drug trafficking ring and was caught by police after accepting 15 kilograms of fake cocaine that was part of a drug string. Despite having a perfect boxing record and great athletic promise, Tanner says his choices were made from a place of financial hardship after he'd gotten laid off from a boxing injury. That harsh life sentence he received reflected a larger imbalance in the War on Drugs, which frequently gave out extreme sentences to Black people in the drug game. After surviving the reality of prison life, Tanner received the news of his pardon from Alice Johnson, Trump's White House pardon czar. However, this wasn't their first time meeting: Johnson played an integral role in an earlier commutation he received from Trump in 2020. While the past commutation brought his sentence length down and let him go free from prison, this recent pardon from Trump has given him a completely fresh start. 'They gave me my whole life back,' said Tanner of Trump and Johnson. That includes being reunited with his 22-year-old son, Charles Tanner Jr. The pardon allows Tanner to better integrate into society as a law-abiding citizen and overcome financial and housing barriers that formerly incarcerated individuals often encounter due to their criminal record. Despite roadblocks, in the years since Tanner was released from prison in 2020, the former boxer has dedicated his life to service and ensuring that other Black men and women don't end up like he did 20 years ago. From his hometown of Gary, Indiana, to Las Vegas and Washington, D.C., Tanner has traveled across the country advocating for criminal justice reform and housing development in Black and disadvantaged communities. Tanner now works in investor relations at Impact Growth Capital, a social impact investment firm, and is working directly with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD, to improve the housing and economic conditions for Black neighborhoods. That includes financial literacy and educational opportunities. 'Part of my rehabilitation on the inside was that I had to learn where I really came from…we really didn't have opportunities like most people do, and it's because we're caught up in a system that's holding us back,' explained Tanner, who released the book, 'Duke Got Life: A Boxer's Fight for Freedom and One Last Shot at Redemption,' last year. 'We can go to these neighborhoods and we can rebuild them… But if we go in and help rehabilitate the people, then we rehabilitate the neighborhood and the structure of the neighborhood. 'We need to do something to stop people from going [to prison] and by doing that, we have to attack housing, we have to attack education. We have to attack jobs, as well as the mental health, which is one of the main things that people who look like me didn't use to want to accept,' said Tanner. 'When we are challenging these things and come together…that's what's going to make this world great. And I believe that this administration is starting off on that path.' Tanner was one of a handful pardoned for a non-violent drug offense among the more than a dozen who received presidential pardons from Trump last week. Most were convicted of white-collar crimes like tax evasion and business fraud. Tanner told theGrio he would like to see Trump issue more pardons and commutations for first-time drug offenders like him, particularly in Black communities. 'The president needs to do more clemency and commute people's sentences to come home,' urged Tanner, who said he is personally helping potential clemency recipients by coordinating background checks. 'I'm writing [to them in] the prison and having them write me back to send me their progress report so I can see what they've been doing on the inside before I reach out to these advocates to promote [them],' he said. Tanner is also joining advocates in bringing more attention to the issue of supervised release and the need for reform. Individuals released from prison are often under the supervision of the government and are restricted in terms of who they can socialize with, where they can travel, and even where they live or work. Tanner recalled his own family being impacted by the strain of supervised release, in which his formerly incarcerated brother was unable to join him and their other siblings to honor their mother, who died in 2016, and release some of her ashes. 'His probation officer denied the visit and wouldn't allow me to be around him because I was on supervised release. During that time, I had been home for three years, never had a problem with the law, never had a dirty urine. Always continue to have a job and pay my taxes,' he recalled. 'It was one of the most heart-aching things,' said Tanner. 'I was doing all these things to help other people, help things, and they wouldn't even allow me to see my family.' He said he was comforted at the time by Johnson, Trump's now-pardon czar, whom he described as having a close personal relationship with. Johnson has faced pointed critiques by some analysts who say is in a tough position of doing meaningful work, under a controversial president. 'She is ordained to do this [work], and the prison prepared her to do what God ordained her to do, and we must give honor to her,' said Tanner. The newly pardoned advocate said he supports the Bipartisan Safer Supervision Act, backed by REFORM Alliance, which would make several reforms to the supervised release system. It would require courts to conduct individualized assessments for when supervision is necessary, incentivize early termination for supervision, and provide other rehabilitation options, rather than prison time, for those on supervised release who are found in possession of illicit substances. Had President Trump not pardoned him, Tanner said he would still be under supervised release for another five years. 'I came home from outside the prison [in 2020], but I've not been free,' he emphasized. 'That's a major thing, and people need to understand that.' More must-reads: Joy Reid warns Black community not to be fooled by Trump's recent pardons Trump provides coy response when asked if he would pardon Diddy Ketanji Brown Jackson gives stark warning after SCOTUS allows Trump to end migrant parole program
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Time of India
Ludhiana police conduct targeted operation in EWS colony, arrest eight drug peddlers.
Ludhiana: In a fresh escalation of its anti-drug campaign, Ludhiana Police on Friday arrested eight alleged drug peddlers and registered five criminal cases following a targeted pre-dawn raid in the EWS Colony on Tajpur Road. Acting on specific intelligence, the commissionerate launched a coordinated cordon and search operation (CASO) around the colony, known as a drug trafficking hub, focusing on the residences of 10 suspected traffickers. According to officials, more than 40 prior cases had been registered collectively against the suspects. Police commissioner Swapan Sharma said the crackdown was part of the Punjab government's ongoing "Yudh Nasheya Virudh" (War On Drugs) campaign. "Rather than conducting random checks, we are conducting intelligence-led operations against repeat offenders," Sharma said. Among those arrested were Ajay alias Sunny and Deepak of Jawahar Nagar, from whom police seized 27 grams of heroin. In another case, Sneha alias Beetu of EWS Colony was found in possession of pharmaceutical drugs, including 70 Alprazolam tablets, 450 Snospas tablets, and empty strips of Prega and Brufen. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like [Click Here] 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software Esseps Learn More Undo She was taken into custody and booked under relevant charges. Mohammad Sabir, a resident of Baba Namdev Colony in the Tibba area, was arrested with 30 grams of heroin. Jatinder Kumar of Ram Nagar in Bhamian Kalan was also held, with police recovering 0.20 grams of heroin from his possession. "This is not a one-off action," Sharma said. "We have arrested habitual offenders before, and we will continue to dismantle drug networks operating in Ludhiana." Authorities said the operation marks another step in tightening surveillance and enforcement in areas notorious for drug activity. Further arrests are expected as investigations continue. MSID:: 121365886 413 | Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Russia Today
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Duterte wins mayoral election despite being jailed in The Hague
Former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has won a mayoral race in his home city, according to unofficial election results released on Tuesday. The apparent win comes even as he remains in custody at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, facing charges of crimes against humanity. Duterte, 80, was arrested by Philippine authorities at Manila's international airport in March and flown to The Hague, where he is facing trial over his 'war on drugs' policy. Under Philippine law, candidates facing criminal charges may run for office unless convicted and all appeals have been exhausted. Preliminary results showed Duterte had secured more than half a million votes in Davao City – nearly eight times more than his nearest rival. He served as the city's mayor for two decades before winning the presidency in 2016. Official results are expected within a week. 'Duterte landslide in Davao!' his youngest daughter Veronica posted on Facebook. The 'overwhelming' support Duterte received shows the public's 'total rejection' of efforts to 'attempt to stamp out' his legacy, his lawyer said, as quoted by ABS-CBN news agency. Supporters reportedly chanted his name as early tallies were announced. The ICC alleges that from 2016 to 2022, Duterte oversaw 'death squads' responsible for killing suspected drug dealers and users. He has denied wrongdoing but admitted the crackdown was violent. Government records show at least 6,200 people were killed in police operations. Rights groups say the real toll could be far higher. Some human rights advocates have called Duterte's arrest illegal, noting the Philippines withdrew from the ICC in 2019 on his orders. The court argues it retains jurisdiction over crimes committed while the country was still a member. His lawyers have filed a petition accusing the Philippine government of 'kidnapping' and say the extradition violated both domestic and international law. Vice President Sara Duterte, his eldest daughter, told reporters after voting this week that she was in talks with her father's lawyers about how he might take his oath as mayor while in detention. She is widely seen as a leading contender for the 2028 presidential race, despite an impending Senate impeachment trial in July.
Gulf Business
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Business
Philippines election results 2025: Duterte wins mayorship from ICC detention
Image credit: Getty Images Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has won the mayoral race in Davao City during the country's midterm elections, showing his lasting influence in his hometown—even while being held by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Despite being detained on charges of crimes against humanity for his deadly war on drugs, the 80-year-old Duterte was expected to win by a wide margin. With 80 per cent of votes counted, unofficial results showed him leading the race with eight times more votes than his closest rival, Duterte, known for his tough stance on crime and nicknamed 'Duterte Harry' and 'The Punisher,' remains popular in the southern city where he built his political career. Supporters celebrated his victory online, flooding his old Facebook account with congratulations. Some even called for his return home. 'Congratulations, Tatay D! Let's bring him home,' one comment read, using a term of endearment meaning 'father.' Duterte was arrested in March and taken to The Hague. He may become the first former Asian head of state to face trial at the ICC. His supporters have called the arrest a 'kidnapping' by a foreign court. Duterte has defended his controversial drug crackdown. His legal team argues the arrest was illegal, while the ICC says it still has authority over alleged crimes committed before the Philippines left the court in 2019.
Reuters
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Detained in The Hague, Philippines' Duterte wins hometown mayoral election
MANILA, May 12 (Reuters) - Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was almost certain to be elected mayor of his home city by a landslide on Monday, unimpeded by his detention at the International Criminal Court on charges of murder as a crime against humanity. With 80% of votes counted in an unofficial tally, Duterte, who was brought to The Hague in March over his bloody "war on drugs" that killed thousands of people, was winning the Davao mayoral contest with eight times more votes than his nearest rival. The victory during nationwide midterm elections is testament to the 80-year-old's enduring influence in the southern city, owing to his reputation as a crime-buster that earned him the nicknames "Duterte Harry" and "the Punisher". Duterte's old Facebook account was flooded with congratulatory messages from supporters, with some calling for his return to serve his people. "Congratulations, Tatay (father) D! Let's bring him home," read one of the comments. Duterte could become the first Asian former head of state to go on trial at the ICC. His surprise arrest by Philippine police at the request of the ICC caused outrage among his army of supporters, who called it a kidnapping at the behest of a foreign court. He has defended the anti-drugs crackdown and his legal team says his arrest was unlawful. The ICC maintains it has jurisdiction to prosecute alleged crimes committed before Duterte withdrew the Philippines from its founding treaty in 2019. Despite the ICC's case also including alleged killings of criminal suspects by a "death squad" in Davao while Duterte was mayor - which he has denied - analysts have said his arrest has only hardened support for him and his family, in Davao and beyond. The former president's two sons were also set to win posts on Monday, one reelected congressman and the other winning the contest for Davao vice mayor and likely to serve in his father's absence. The family's political resilience and dominance in Davao could prove pivotal as Duterte's popular daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, faces an impeachment trial that could see her banned from politics for life if convicted, killing off any hopes of a presidential run. Asked earlier on Monday about her father's likely victory, she said plans would be made for him to be sworn in as mayor. "The ICC lawyer said once we get proclamation papers, we will discuss how he can take oath," she said.
