Washington - (AFP) - US President Joe Biden granted a presidential pardon for the first time during his term, including three convicted persons, including the first black man who worked in the ranks of the Secret Service in the White House.

Biden also announced commuting the sentences of 75 other people serving long prison terms after being convicted of non-violent drug offenses.

"America is a country of laws, second chances, redemption and rehabilitation," Biden said in a statement issued by the White House, adding that pardon is for "people who have demonstrated their commitment to rehabilitation and strive every day to give back and contribute to their communities."

Abraham Bouldin, 86, is one of the most prominent of those included in the amnesty, as he is a former member of the US Secret Service and the first African-American entrusted with the task of protecting the country's president during the administration of President John F. Kennedy.

Bouldin was accused during his work of trying to sell a copy of the Secret Service file before he was convicted after two trial sessions, despite the White House later acknowledging that key witnesses in the case admitted to lying.

The White House statement pointed out that Bouldin has always maintained his innocence, saying that he was targeted "in retaliation for exposing unprofessional and racist behavior within the US Secret Service."

He added that Bouldin won several awards in recognition of his activism and contributions to society after his release from prison.
The other two pardons went to a man and a woman convicted of drug-related offences, but who nevertheless continued to reform their lives and contribute to the community in which they live.

Biden indicated that many of the 75 commutation decisions affected people "serving home prison sentences during the Covid epidemic (...) and many of them would have received a lesser sentence if they were accused of the same crime today."