Nine people convicted of crimes in San Diego County were among the more than 100 who were granted pardons from Gov. Jerry Brown on Friday as part of a pre-Christmas tradition.

Most of the 112 individuals who were pardoned were convicted of nonviolent, drug-related offenses. All have completed their sentences, according Brown’s office.

Those who received pardons for crimes committed in San Diego County are:

Pierre Carbonneau, sentenced in December 1974 for possession of marijuana for sale. He served 30 days in jail and three years’ probation.


Thomas J. Dao, sentenced in August 2001 for possession of marijuana for sale. He served 180 days in jail and three years’ probation.

Maria Espinoza, sentenced in February 2000 for possession of marijuana for sale. She served 38 days in jail and three years’ probation.

David Gibson, sentenced in April 1988 for possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance for sale and manufacturing a controlled substance. He served two years and four months in prison, as well as one year and one month on parole.

Dawne Michele Graham, sentenced in November 1993 for possession of marijuana for sale. She served 220 days in jail and three years’ probation.


Bruce Miller, sentenced in April 1981 for possession of a controlled substance for sale and possession of a controlled substance. He served 180 days in jail and three years’ probation.

Karen Miller, sentenced in February 1995 for possession of a controlled substance. She served 110 days in jail, seven months in prison, two years and a month of probation, and four years and four months on parole.

Hobert Gary Porterfield Jr., sentenced in June 1999 for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and hit and run, causing death or injury. He served a year in jail and six years’ probation.

Steven Michael Unwin, sentenced in April 1994 for burglary. He served three years’ probation.


According to the Governor’s Office, Brown has granted 854 pardons since 2011, typically on Christmas Eve. Pardons are granted to those who have shown exemplary behavior after their convictions.

“Pardons are not granted unless they are earned,” Brown’s office said in a statement.

david.hernandez@sduniontribune.com


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