SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A Syracuse crack cocaine dealer granted clemency by President Barack Obama for his role in a large '90s drug ring is facing jail over missed drug tests.

Dewayne Comer, 47, will appear in federal court Friday to ask a judge not to send him back to prison.

Probation officials said in court papers that Comer failed to report for four drug tests, most recently over Labor Day Weekend. Testing was required as part of Comer's supervised release.

The U.S. Attorney's Office is calling for Comer's supervised release to be revoked and for a judge to order him back to prison.

Comer's attorney argued in court papers that the drug testing was an unnecessary condition of his release, as Comer has no history of alcohol or substance abuse.

Assistant Federal Public Defender Courtenay McKeon wrote in the documents that Comer has never failed a drug test, or faced drug-related discipline during his incarceration.

Nine people, including Common Councilor Helen Hudson, Centerstate CEO Deputy Director Dan Cowen and Volunteer Lawyers Project of Onondaga County head Sally Curran, wrote letters of support on behalf of Comer ahead of Friday's hearing.

Comer has volunteered with multiple community organizations and enrolled at Onondaga Community College since his release in January, according to the letters.

"I have nothing but unwavering support for Dewayne ..." wrote Cowen. "He has made it his priority to give back to the community and find ways to empower others to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams. It is not just for him to be punished."

Comer served nearly 21 years of a life sentence before Obama commuted his and 213 other defendants' sentences in 2016.

Obama granted hundreds of commutations as part of an effort to release non-violent offenders who received mandatory harsh sentences under old drug laws, but would face lesser sentences today.

Under updated sentencing guidelines, Comer would have faced a 14 1/2-year sentence, according to court filings.

Comer had to demonstrate good behavior in prison as part of his application for clemency.

In the application, he admitted he was "somewhat of the ring leader" of a 21-person organization dealing crack cocaine in Syracuse in the 1990s.

Federal Public Defender Lisa Peebles argued in the application that the crack operation was not a sophisticated one. His application argued he was involved in every level of the group's drug trafficking, including street-level sales.

Comer admitted he was young, foolish and "trying to take the easy way out to make money without having to work hard."

"I had no idea about the gravity of what I was doing nor did I comprehend the burden I was placing on society," Comer wrote in his application. "I accept full responsibility for my conduct."

Comer will appear before U.S. District Court Judge Norman Mordue at 10 a.m. Friday.

Public Affairs Reporter Julie McMahon covers federal courts, government and other issues affecting taxpayers. She can be reached anytime: Email | Twitter | 315-412-1992