Joe Biden has granted clemency to Terry “Southwest” Flenory.
An affidavit shows that on Dec. 12, the BMF co-founder had his 30-year prison sentence commuted. Flenory has been in home confinement for the last four years, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to a press release, Biden’s announcement will impact almost 1,500 people who have been on house arrest and will pardon 39 individuals who were previously convicted of non-violent crimes.
Terry co-founded the Black Mafia Family alongside his older brother, Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory—and by the early aughts, the pair had a substantial cocaine distribution operation that spanned the U.S.
They were arrested in 2005 for conspiracy, drug possession with intent to deliver, and money laundering, later pleading guilty in 2007. The brothers were ultimately sentenced to 30 years in prison.
It’s common for presidents to save acts of clemency for the end of a presidential term. Per Pew Research, “every president since Gerald Ford has issued pardons or commutations in his very last days in office.” Bill Clinton issue 177 acts of clemency on Jan. 20, 2001, Barack Obama granted 330 on Jan. 19, 2017, and Donald Trump granted 116 on Jan. 19, 2021.
In October, Demetrius was released from prison to a halfway home and will be officially released next January.
