SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued pardons Jan. 6, invoking her power of executive clemency for 12 people convicted of crimes in New Mexico. The overwhelming majority of those pardoned were guilty of non-violent offenses.

The offenses included drug possession, auto burglary, forgery and fraud, among others. All but one of the offenses dated back more than a decade; some to the 1980s.

Five of the individuals had applied for clemency under the Martinez administration. Four of them received no answer to their applications.

The latest issuance of executive clemency follows 19 pardons issued by Lujan Grisham in June 2020. Those had been the first pardons issued in the state since 2012.

Article V, Section 6 of the New Mexico Constitution provides that the “governor shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons, after conviction for all offenses except treason and in cases of impeachment.” The governor’s decision to pardon is “unrestrained by any consideration other than the conscience and wisdom and the sense of public duty of the governor.”

The governor’s pardoning power extends to all offenses committed under state law other than the offenses of impeachment and treason. The governor does not have authority to pardon convictions for violations of municipal ordinances or convictions from another jurisdiction, such as convictions from other states and convictions under federal law.

The governor’s pardon restores certain fundamental rights, such as the right to vote and the right to hold public office and other positions of public trust.

Pardons are filed with the Office of the Secretary of State.

They are:

Jerry Abney – forgery;

James Bell – possession of marijuana with intent to distribute;

Sarah T. Gallegos – possession of controlled substance;

William Goolsby – burglary;

Dennis Grube – possession of controlled substance;

Blanca Hernandez – possession with intent to distribute;

Michelle Jacquez – auto burglary, credit card theft, possession of controlled substance, larceny, tampering with evidence, identity theft;

Byron Marshall – fraud;

Karen Monroe – trafficking controlled substance;

James Sullivan – possession;

Leonard Romero – trafficking controlled substance;

Julian Salaiz – possession.