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Bush pardons former airman of drug charges

A former airman convicted of dealing drugs in 1985 was one of 14 people pardoned Monday by President Bush, according to the Justice Department.

Andrew Foster Harley of Falls Church, Va., was convicted by general court-martial in April 1985 of wrongful use and distribution of marijuana and cocaine and sentenced to 90 days’ confinement, forfeiture of all pay and allowances and dismissal from the Air Force.

Harley was a cadet at the Air Force Academy at the time of his trial, according to an academy spokesperson.

A presidential pardon removes a conviction from a person’s record.

The White House does not comment on the reasons a pardon is granted, but the Constitution grants the president unlimited power to pardon those convicted of crimes. The Justice Department maintains an office that evaluates pardon applications and makes recommendations to the president.

Another airman, William Marcus McDonald of Wetumpka, Ala., was pardoned in March during the last round of presidential pardons.