SACRAMENTO – Gov. Gavin Newsom on Veterans Day pardoned five former members of the military and is seeking a posthumous clemency grant for another for convictions that include robbery, drug trafficking and grand theft.

Newsom’s office said “a pardon recognizes the recipient’s post-conviction self-development and responsibility,” but does not erase a conviction or attempt to minimize the harm caused to the recipient.

The governor’s office provided a brief description of each person who received forgiveness on monday. All five recipients are veterans who were honorably discharged from service:

• Don Archibald, who served in the U.S. Army and Army Reserves, was sentenced to five years to life in prison for first-degree robbery on May 24, 1966, in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
• Marcus Page, who served in the US Marines, was sentenced to three years of probation and 240 days in jail for the transportation or sale of a controlled substance in San Diego County Superior Court on April 7, 1994.

• Robert Teagle, who served in the US Army as a Ranger, was sentenced to three years of probation and 69 days in jail for the transportation or sale of a controlled substance on September 4, 1981, in San Bernardino County Superior Court. Teagle was wounded in action, received a Purple Heart and a Silver Star while serving.
• Alex Zonn, who served in the US Air Force, was sentenced to three years of probation and 60 days in jail for possession of marijuana for sale on February 16, 1970, in Ventura County Superior Court.

• Brian Tinney, who served in the US Navy, was sentenced to five years of probation and 90 days in jail for grand theft of property on January 25, 1994, in San Diego County Superior Court. On July 11, 1996, Tinney was sentenced to a concurrent term of two years in prison for being a felon or drug addict in possession of a firearm.

  State Law does not allow Newsom pardon or commute the sentences of someone with multiple felony convictions without high court approval. The California Supreme Court reviewed his case and recommended clemency.

Newsom is also seeking a posthumous pardon for Sgt. Richard Allen Penry, an Army veteran who received the Medal of Honor. A pardon for Penry, who has been convicted of drug offenses, requires the approval of the California Supreme Court.

Anyone convicted of a crime in California can seek a pardon or commutation from the governor, who has granted 186 pardons during his tenure.

A pardon restores some rights to ex-offenders, such as the ability to serve on a jury or apply for a professional license. In limited cases, pardons can restore gun rights to those convicted of crimes that did not involve a dangerous weapon or exempt a sex offender from being required to register.