A former Maryland police officer who was sentenced to 10 years in prison was pardoned by President Trump on Wednesday.
Stephanie Mohr, one of 29 people who received forgiveness or clemency, was the first dog trainer at the Prince George County Police Department in 1995.
Mohr, her canine partner Valk and several other police officers responded to an invasion call, after which she said one of the two suspects tried to escape.
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Mohr released Valk, who bit the suspect in the calf. The man later needed 10 stitches.
Although Mohr says that neither the department nor the suspect discussed her conduct at the time, five years later she was indicted by the Department of Justice for violations of prison-related civil rights.
The government presented a different account of the arrest, where the suspects followed orders from officers and were not thieves, but homeless men, according to USA Today.
Mohr and his training officer were tried twice after a jury initially failed to reach a verdict on the charges.
During the second trial, the government reportedly painted Mohr as a troubled officer. And although Mohr was convicted, his training officer was acquitted.
In 2008, she tried to commute her sentence, but was unsuccessful. Mohr was eventually released from prison in 2011.
Now 50, she works on construction for the St. Mary County government.
In a statement announcing the pardon, the White House wrote that “Officer Mohr was a highly recommended member of the police force prior to her prosecution.”
“Today’s action recognizes this service and the long sentence Mohr served in prison,” said the White House, noting that his leniency is supported by the Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund and the Fraternal Order of Police.
It is not yet clear whether the Justice Department recommended Mohr for a pardon.
In an interview with Fox & Friends, Mohr said on Thursday that the 25-year saga was “very, very difficult” and that the government “punished” her for doing her job.
“There was definitely an agenda at the time and I was made a scapegoat,” she said.
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Mohr called the Justice Department “exaggerated and a little overzealous”, but noted that the president’s decision “restores [her] a little faith in the justice system. “
She said getting the call on Wednesday night was one of the best times of her life. “
“It’s one of the best Christmas gifts I could have hoped for,” said Mohr.