Former Monterey County man pardoned for a crime committed 34 years ago; Governor Gavin Newsom’s Office
MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) -- Governor Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday that he pardoned 19 people across the state, one person from Monterey County.
Andy Silvestre, a resident of Arizona and former California resident, applied for executive clemency from a crime committed on January 14, 1990, according to Governor Newsom's office.
At the time, the Superior Court of California, County of Monterey had sentenced Silvestre to three years of probation and 120 days in jail for the possession or purchase of cocaine-base (aka, crack cocaine) for sale.
His pardon was granted after Silvestre provided evidence that he now living a responsible lifestyle and abides by the law.
The state says while the pardon does not minimize or forgive his crime, it does recognize his attempt at positive transformation.