Stoddard County man granted pardon by governor

Gov. Jay Nixon granted a pardon to John Robey of Stoddard County on Friday.

Robey pleaded guilty to first-degree burglary in 1993 in Stoddard County, according to a news release. He served six months in prison and a portion of a five-year probation, from which he was granted an early discharge. Robey then served as an officer in the Missouri National Guard who was awarded a Bronze Star for his service in Afghanistan. He now works in computer-security consulting, the release states.

Robey was one of nine people to receive pardons from Nixon for non-violent offenses. Each individual was selected because they are now "law-abiding citizens."

"Each of these individuals has turned his [or her] life around and become a contributing member of society," Nixon said in the news release.

Granting a pardon restores rights but does not expunge criminal records, the Associated Press reported.

Nixon spokesman Scott Holste said the Democratic governor has granted 23 pardons since taking office in 2009, according to the AP. He's granted three commutations, which shorten sentences.

Holste said there are about 3,000 pending requests for clemency, which include pardons and commutations, the AP reported.