Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles grants clemency to most applicants; three denials, one continuation

HARTFORD, Conn. — The Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles held an absolute-pardon hearing June 4, 2025 by Zoom and tentatively granted full pardons to the majority of applicants who appeared, denied three petitions and continued one matter for a later docket.

Chairperson Michael Pohl opened the hearing by explaining the board's powers and the process: "The people of the state of Connecticut have vested at the Board of Pardons and Paroles with extraordinary power to grant pardons for convictions in the state," he said, noting pardons are "tentative" until record checks are completed.

Why it matters

Pardons can remove legal barriers that limit employment, housing and travel for people with past convictions. Board members repeatedly told applicants they consider the seriousness of the original offense, evidence of rehabilitation, victim input and the length of time since the convictions.

What happened

The board conducted a long docket of individual hearings. Most applicants who addressed the board described years of steady work, sustained sobriety or community service since their convictions; many applicants had attorneys on the call. In several cases board members praised applicants' volunteer work and family stability. For one high-profile case, the board denied an application after extensive victim-family statements.

Victim input and a denied application

In the case of Geraldo Santiago Sr., members of the Ramos family addressed the board by video and described the continuing impact of the 1995 homicide of Franklin Ramos. Shirley Ramos told the board, "The incident occurred 08/12/1995, a date forever etched in my heart and memory. . . . I strongly oppose any pardon for the person convicted of his murder." Several board members said the family's statements were influential; the board voted to deny Santiago's pardon.

Votes at a glance (selected outcomes)

- Hugo Alberto Vega — Granted (full and absolute pardon). Chair moved; Board Member Joy Chance and Board Member Robert Czazakis voted aye. (Applicant counsel: Alex Taubes.) - William (Guarino/Garrino) — Granted (full and absolute pardon). Applicant described nine years sobriety and community service; board voted aye. - Geraldo Santiago Sr. — Denied. Victim-family testimony influenced the decision; board voted to deny. - Charles Dimitri Sava — Granted. - Lamar Demetrius Boomer — Granted. - Steven Scott McGuire — Granted. - Domingo Morales Mejias — Granted. - Donovan Miller — Granted. - Kelvin (Elwin) Townsend — Granted. - Stefano Alejandro Anguita — Granted; victim in that case told the board she supported the pardon. - David Thomas Guzman Jr. — Granted. - Carlos Ramon Hernandez — Granted. - Elvis John Lozada — Granted. - Nicole Lee Tardiff — Granted (applicant described nine years sobriety and treatment participation). - Brian Aaron — Granted (applicant cited military service, volunteer firefighting and sobriety). - Sarah Betts — Granted. - Kimyatta Lynn Bivens Littles — Granted. - Jakari Lamar Brown — Granted. - Cedric Duane Council — Granted. - Matthew Curran Sr. — Granted. - Troy Donald Daniels — Granted. - Christian Duque — Denied. Board members cited recent driving-while-impaired history and recommended additional time and volunteer work before reconsideration. - Sean Michael Olumba — Granted by majority (one dissent noted by Board Member Chance). - Francis Arlington Fairnott — Continued to the September 9, 2025 docket. - Devon Gill — Granted. - Dawn W. Grant Lockley — Granted (applicant described long-term volunteer work rebuilding trust with her community). - Tony Rashad Green — Granted. - Penny Talmadge Harris — Granted. - Ramon Antonio Lopez — Denied (board cited the seriousness of the original offenses and a more recent workplace incident involving a facsimile firearm; denied after discussion). - Richard Emmanuel Lopez — Granted. - Leandro (Leandro/Leandro) Martinez — Granted. - Terrence (Terrence) McIntosh — Granted. - Natasha Alicia Mackenzie — Granted. - Michael Joseph Morton — Granted. - Edwin Nieves — Granted. - Theo Brad Peters — Granted. - Joseph Steven Pettis — Granted. - Marcus Pitt — Granted. - Edwin Rojas — Granted (majority; one board member opposed). - Quintilian Maurice Scott — Granted. - Karen Antoinette Snellings — Granted. - Dornell Yorel Spearman — Granted. - Robert M. Walton — Granted. - Sandra Lynn Williams — Granted. - Tajuana Williams — Granted. - John Anthony Zazima — Granted (board noted an open motor-vehicle matter that staff and the chair said did not bar consideration; candidate said he was prepared to resolve it in court).

Process notes and next steps

- All pardons in this hearing were described as "tentative" pending final records checks and clearance by the Connecticut State Police Bureau of Identification; chairperson Pohl reminded applicants the board issues a certificate by mail only after record erasure is confirmed. - Where victims or victim-family members spoke, board members said they weighed those statements heavily. Members also cited evidence of sustained sobriety, employment stability, training, volunteer service and time elapsed since the conviction when explaining favorable votes. - The board continued 1 case and encouraged several applicants to pursue additional community service or counseling before seeking a future hearing when members expressed concern about recent behavior or unresolved issues.

Ending

Pohl closed the hearing at approximately 3:45 p.m., reminding applicants to expect written notice and that final administrative steps remain before any pardon is final.

People who spoke (roles shown as recorded at the hearing)

- Michael Pohl — Chairperson, Board of Pardons and Paroles (government) - Robert Czazakis — Board member (government) - Joy Chance — Board member (government) - Theo Swanson — Parole officer / hearing coordinator (government) - Shirley Ramos — Victim family member (citizen; widow of Franklin Ramos) - Angel Cortez — Victim family member (citizen) - Selected applicants and counsel who addressed the board (e.g., Hugo Alberto Vega; attorneys Alex Taubes, Ralph Sherman, Matthew Sorokin) appear in the transcript record and were heard by the board.

Authorities cited in hearing

- "Board authority under Connecticut law" (described in opening remarks by Chair Michael Pohl; transcript did not provide a formal statute citation). Referenced by: Michael Pohl.

Actions (structured)

Notes: Each item below summarizes the board's motion-record language and the recorded vote at the hearing. All motions were made on the record by the chair unless the transcript attributes the motion to a specific board member. Tally counts reflect the three-member panel votes captured in the live transcript (Chair Michael Pohl; Board Member Robert Czazakis; Board Member Joy Chance).

- {"kind":"other","motion":"Grant full and absolute pardon for Hugo Alberto Vega","mover":"Michael Pohl","vote_record":[{"member":"Joy Chance","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Robert Czazakis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael Pohl","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":3,"no":0},"outcome":"approved"} - {"kind":"other","motion":"Grant full and absolute pardon for William Guarino","mover":"Michael Pohl","vote_record":[{"member":"Joy Chance","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Robert Czazakis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael Pohl","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":3},"outcome":"approved"} - {"kind":"other","motion":"Deny pardon for Geraldo Santiago Sr.","mover":"Michael Pohl","vote_record":[{"member":"Joy Chance","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Robert Czazakis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael Pohl","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":3},"outcome":"failed"} - {"kind":"other","motion":"Grant full and absolute pardon for Charles Dimitri Sava","mover":"Michael Pohl","vote_record":[{"member":"Joy Chance","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Robert Czazakis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael Pohl","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":3},"outcome":"approved"} - {"kind":"other","motion":"Grant full and absolute pardon for Lamar Demetrius Boomer","mover":"Michael Pohl","vote_record":[{"member":"Joy Chance","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Robert Czazakis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael Pohl","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":3},"outcome":"approved"} - {"kind":"other","motion":"Grant full and absolute pardon for Steven Scott McGuire","mover":"Michael Pohl","vote_record":[{"member":"Joy Chance","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Robert Czazakis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael Pohl","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":3},"outcome":"approved"} - {"kind":"other","motion":"Grant full and absolute pardon for Domingo Morales Mejias","mover":"Michael Pohl","vote_record":[{"member":"Joy Chance","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Robert Czazakis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael Pohl","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":3},"outcome":"approved"} - {"kind":"other","motion":"Grant full and absolute pardon for Donovan Miller","mover":"Michael Pohl","vote_record":[{"member":"Joy Chance","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Robert Czazakis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael Pohl","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":3},"outcome":"approved"} - {"kind":"other","motion":"Grant full and absolute pardon for Kelvin (Elwin) Townsend","mover":"Michael Pohl","vote_record":[{"member":"Joy Chance","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Robert Czazakis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael Pohl","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":3},"outcome":"approved"} - {"kind":"other","motion":"Grant full and absolute pardon for Stefano Alejandro Anguita","mover":"Michael Pohl","vote_record":[{"member":"Joy Chance","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Robert Czazakis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael Pohl","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":3},"outcome":"approved"} - {"kind":"other","motion":"Grant full and absolute pardon for David Thomas Guzman Jr.","mover":"Michael Pohl","vote_record":[{"member":"Joy Chance","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Robert Czazakis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael Pohl","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":3},"outcome":"approved"} - {"kind":"other","motion":"Grant full and absolute pardon for Carlos Ramon Hernandez","mover":"Michael Pohl","vote_record":[{"member":"Joy Chance","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Robert Czazakis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael Pohl","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":3},"outcome":"approved"} - {"kind":"other","motion":"Grant full and absolute pardon for Elvis John Lozada","mover":"Michael Pohl","vote_record":[{"member":"Joy Chance","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Robert Czazakis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael Pohl","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":3},"outcome":"approved"} - {"kind":"other","motion":"Grant full and absolute pardon for Nicole Lee Tardiff","mover":"Michael Pohl","vote_record":[{"member":"Joy Chance","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Robert Czazakis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael Pohl","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":3},"outcome":"approved"} - {"kind":"other","motion":"Grant full and absolute pardon for Brian Aaron","mover":"Michael Pohl","vote_record":[{"member":"Robert Czazakis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Joy Chance","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael Pohl","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":3},"outcome":"approved"} - {"kind":"other","motion":"Grant full and absolute pardon for Sarah Betts","mover":"Michael Pohl","vote_record":[{"member":"Robert Czazakis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Joy Chance","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael Pohl","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":3},"outcome":"approved"} - {"kind":"other","motion":"Grant full and absolute pardon for Kimyatta Lynn Bivens Littles","mover":"Michael Pohl","vote_record":[{"member":"Joy Chance","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Robert Czazakis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael Pohl","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":3},"outcome":"approved"} - {"kind":"other","motion":"Grant full and absolute pardon for Jakari Lamar Brown","mover":"Michael Pohl","vote_record":[{"member":"Joy Chance","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Robert Czazakis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael Pohl","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":3},"outcome":"approved"} - {"kind":"other","motion":"Grant full and absolute pardon for Cedric Duane Council","mover":"Michael Pohl","vote_record":[{"member":"Robert Czazakis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Joy Chance","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael Pohl","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":3},"outcome":"approved"} - {"kind":"other","motion":"Grant full and absolute pardon for Matthew Curran Sr.","mover":"Michael Pohl","vote_record":[{"member":"Robert Czazakis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Joy Chance","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael Pohl","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":3},"outcome":"approved"} - {"kind":"other","motion":"Grant full and absolute pardon for Troy Donald Daniels","mover":"Michael Pohl","vote_record":[{"member":"Robert Czazakis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Joy Chance","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael Pohl","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":3},"outcome":"approved"} - {"kind":"other","motion":"Deny pardon for Christian Duque","mover":"Michael Pohl","vote_record":[{"member":"Robert Czazakis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Joy Chance","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael Pohl","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":3},"outcome":"failed"} - {"kind":"other","motion":"Grant full and absolute pardon for Sean Michael Olumba","mover":"Michael Pohl","vote_record":[{"member":"Robert Czazakis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Joy Chance","vote":"no"},{"member":"Michael Pohl","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":2,"no":1},"outcome":"approved"} - {"kind":"other","motion":"Continue case of Francis Arlington Fairnott to 2025-09-09 docket","mover":"Michael Pohl","vote_record":[{"member":"Robert Czazakis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Joy Chance","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael Pohl","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":3},"outcome":"tabled","notes":"continued to 2025-09-09"} - {"kind":"other","motion":"Grant full and absolute pardon for Devon Gill","mover":"Michael Pohl","vote_record":[{"member":"Robert Czazakis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Joy Chance","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael Pohl","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":3},"outcome":"approved"} - {"kind":"other","motion":"Grant full and absolute pardon for Dawn W. Grant Lockley","mover":"Michael Pohl","vote_record":[{"member":"Robert Czazakis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Joy Chance","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael Pohl","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":3},"outcome":"approved"} - {"kind":"other","motion":"Grant full and absolute pardon for Tony Rashad Green","mover":"Michael Pohl","vote_record":[{"member":"Robert Czazakis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Joy Chance","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael Pohl","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":3},"outcome":"approved"} - {"kind":"other","motion":"Grant full and absolute pardon for Penny Talmadge Harris","mover":"Michael Pohl","vote_record":[{"member":"Robert Czazakis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Joy Chance","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael Pohl","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":3},"outcome":"approved"} - {"kind":"other","motion":"Deny pardon for Ramon Antonio Lopez","mover":"Michael Pohl","vote_record":[{"member":"Robert Czazakis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Joy Chance","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael Pohl","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":3},"outcome":"failed"} - {"kind":"other","motion":"Grant full and absolute pardon for Richard Emmanuel Lopez","mover":"Michael Pohl","vote_record":[{"member":"Robert Czazakis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Joy Chance","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael Pohl","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":3},"outcome":"approved"} - {"kind":"other","motion":"Grant full and absolute pardon for Leandro Martinez","mover":"Michael Pohl","vote_record":[{"member":"Robert Czazakis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Joy Chance","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael Pohl","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":3},"outcome":"approved"} - {"kind":"other","motion":"Grant full and absolute pardon for Terrence Ivanow McIntosh","mover":"Michael Pohl","vote_record":[{"member":"Robert Czazakis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Joy Chance","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael Pohl","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":3},"outcome":"approved"} - {"kind":"other","motion":"Grant full and absolute pardon for Natasha Alicia Mackenzie","mover":"Michael Pohl","vote_record":[{"member":"Robert Czazakis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Joy Chance","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael Pohl","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":3},"outcome":"approved"} - {"kind":"other","motion":"Grant full and absolute pardon for Michael Joseph Morton","mover":"Michael Pohl","vote_record":[{"member":"Robert Czazakis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Joy Chance","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael Pohl","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":3},"outcome":"approved"} - {"kind":"other","motion":"Grant full and absolute pardon for Edwin Nieves","mover":"Michael Pohl","vote_record":[{"member":"Robert Czazakis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Joy Chance","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael Pohl","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":3},"outcome":"approved"} - {"kind":"other","motion":"Grant full and absolute pardon for Theo Brad Peters","mover":"Michael Pohl","vote_record":[{"member":"Robert Czazakis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Joy Chance","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael Pohl","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":3},"outcome":"approved"} - {"kind":"other","motion":"Grant full and absolute pardon for Joseph Steven Pettis","mover":"Michael Pohl","vote_record":[{"member":"Robert Czazakis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Joy Chance","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael Pohl","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":3},"outcome":"approved"} - {"kind":"other","motion":"Grant full and absolute pardon for Marcus Pitt","mover":"Michael Pohl","vote_record":[{"member":"Robert Czazakis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Joy Chance","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael Pohl","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":3},"outcome":"approved"} - {"kind":"other","motion":"Grant full and absolute pardon for Edwin Rojas","mover":"Michael Pohl","vote_record":[{"member":"Robert Czazakis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Joy Chance","vote":"no"},{"member":"Michael Pohl","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":2,"no":1},"outcome":"approved"} - {"kind":"other","motion":"Grant full and absolute pardon for Quintilian Maurice Scott","mover":"Michael Pohl","vote_record":[{"member":"Robert Czazakis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Joy Chance","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael Pohl","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":3},"outcome":"approved"} - {"kind":"other","motion":"Grant full and absolute pardon for Karen Antoinette Snellings","mover":"Michael Pohl","vote_record":[{"member":"Robert Czazakis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Joy Chance","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael Pohl","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":3},"outcome":"approved"} - {"kind":"other","motion":"Grant full and absolute pardon for Dornell Yorel Spearman","mover":"Michael Pohl","vote_record":[{"member":"Robert Czazakis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Joy Chance","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael Pohl","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":3},"outcome":"approved"} - {"kind":"other","motion":"Grant full and absolute pardon for Robert M. Walton","mover":"Michael Pohl","vote_record":[{"member":"Robert Czazakis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Joy Chance","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael Pohl","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":3},"outcome":"approved"} - {"kind":"other","motion":"Grant full and absolute pardon for Sandra Lynn Williams","mover":"Michael Pohl","vote_record":[{"member":"Robert Czazakis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Joy Chance","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael Pohl","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":3},"outcome":"approved"} - {"kind":"other","motion":"Grant full and absolute pardon for Tajuana Williams","mover":"Michael Pohl","vote_record":[{"member":"Robert Czazakis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Joy Chance","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael Pohl","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":3},"outcome":"approved"} - {"kind":"other","motion":"Grant full and absolute pardon for John Anthony Zazima","mover":"Michael Pohl","vote_record":[{"member":"Robert Czazakis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Joy Chance","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael Pohl","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":3},"outcome":"approved"}

Discussion vs. decision

- The board separated discussion (applicants'descriptions of rehabilitation, training, employment and volunteer work) from formal action (motions and recorded votes). - Victim and victim-family statements were explicitly given weight in at least one denial (Geraldo Santiago Sr.).

Clarifying details

- Total docket: roughly 50 individual applications were heard on June 4, 2025 (many grants, three denials, one continuation). - Pardons are "tentative" on the hearing date and require final records checks, including clearance by the Connecticut State Police Bureau of Identification, before certificates are mailed.

Proper names referenced in this article

- Board of Pardons and Paroles (agency) - Connecticut State Police Bureau of Identification (agency) - Yale/New Haven area organizations and several local churches and service groups named by applicants in testimony.

Community relevance

- Geographies: Connecticut (statewide), with multiple cases tied to Hartford, Bridgeport, New Haven and other localities. - Impact groups: applicants with prior convictions, victims and victims' families, employers that require criminal-record clearance (state employment, contracting, commercial drivers), and community organizations that rely on volunteer labor.

Meeting context

- Engagement: long docket; multiple applicants presented counsel or testimony; victim-family participation occurred in several cases and produced both denials and votes in favor depending on circumstances. - Implementation risk: medium; all pardons are tentative until final record checks and administrative processing are completed.

Searchable tags

["pardons","clemency","Board of Pardons and Paroles","victim input","connecticut","criminal-justice","rehabilitation","employment"]

Provenance

Transcript spans supporting this article (selected opening and closing evidence spans from the hearing): - {"block_id":"transcript_84.735","local_start":0,"local_end":182,"evidence_excerpt":"Thank you. Alright. Good morning. This is the 06/04/2025 absolute pardon session of the state of Connecticut board of pardons and paroles being held via Zoom, video conference, and live streaming to our website. My name is parole officer Swanson, and I am the hearing coordinator for today's session.","reason_code":"topicintro"} - {"block_id":"transcript_20699.414","local_start":0,"local_end":87,"evidence_excerpt":"This now concludes the 06/04/2025 pardon sessions of the Connecticut Board of Pardons Paroles at 03:45PM.","reason_code":"topicfinish"}