Rockford man granted clemency under White House commutations

Staff report

A Rockford man is one of three Iowans to have his federal sentence commuted by President Barack Obama after Wednesday’s announcement.

Michael Sandmeyer is one of 214 federal inmates to receive a grant of commutation by the Obama Administration. Sandmeyer was convicted in January 2003 and sentenced to 20 years in prison for methamphetamine distribution and possession of a firearm by a felon. His sentence is commuted to expire Dec. 1 of this year.

Other Iowans include David Dean Millard of Grimes, sentenced in 1996 for methamphetamine distribution, and Martin Ruiz Singh of Marshalltown, sentenced in 2006 for distribution of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a felon. Millard’s sentence will also expire on Dec. 1, and Singh’s lifetime sentence is commuted to 20 years.

Wednesday’s announcement means President Obama has surpassed the past nine presidents combined in total commutations, the White House website said: 562 commutations, including 197 individuals who were serving life sentences.

The White House says those receiving commutations were imprisoned under antiquated, overly harsh sentencing laws. Almost all were serving time for nonviolent drug offenses.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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