President cuts drug sentences for three area men


              President Barack Obama speaks in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2016, where he welcomed the news that the Paris agreement on climate change will take effect in a month as a historic achievement. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
President Barack Obama speaks in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2016, where he welcomed the news that the Paris agreement on climate change will take effect in a month as a historic achievement. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Three area men serving long sentences for drugs were among 102 whose sentences were reduced Thursday by President Barack Obama.

In recent years, Obama has reduced long sentences levied against drug offenders whose terms would have been shorter under recent drug-law reforms.

The three are:

Ivan Calhoun, of Cleveland, Tenn., who was convicted of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine mixture. His original sentence in March 2004 of 262 months (23 years, six months) was reduced in August 2005 to 238 months. Obama order will cause his sentence to expire Oct. 1, 2018, and requires him to enroll in residential drug treatment.

Randy Patterson, of Dalton, Ga., convicted in November 2003 of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine mixture. His original sentence was262 months in prison and 10 years' supervised release. Under the commutation grant, he will be freed Oct. 6, 2018, and must enroll in drug treatment.

Tesmone Darin Paschal, of Maryville, was sentenced to 300 months in prison and 10 years supervised release in April 2007 on his conviction for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base. The commutation reduces his sentence to 188 months.

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