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Presidential Clemency Record

Carlos Roy Watson

Commutation

  /   2025–Present

Record at a Glance

Clemency type
Commutation
Presidential term
2025–Present
Federal district
Eastern District of New York
Offense
Conspiracy to commit securities fraud; conspiracy to commit wire fraud; aggravated identity theft
Sentence
116 months' imprisonment; two years' supervised release; $36,769,153.97 restitution (as amended January 6, 2025) (December 16, 2024)
Current status
The March 2025 commutation prevented Watson's scheduled prison surrender. In September 2025, the SEC dismissed its separate civil enforcement action with prejudice in the exercise of its discretion; the SEC stated that dismissal did not necessarily reflect its position on other cases. This civil action is distinct from the criminal conviction and commutation.

Original Case

A July 2024 jury convicted Watson of conspiracy to commit securities fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft concerning Ozy Media. On December 16, 2024 he received 116 months in prison. DOJ described false financial representations and impersonating an executive during investment solicitation.

Clemency

2025-03-28: Commutation of the entire sentence to time served, with no further fines, restitution, probation or other conditions, for the specified federal case.

Trump Connection

Watson’s clemency effort moved through advocates rather than a documented personal relationship with Trump. His spokesperson credited Alice Marie Johnson—Trump’s designated “pardon czar”—and other unnamed supporters with helping obtain the commutation. Trump shortened the sentence to time served before Watson surrendered to prison, but issued a commutation rather than a pardon, leaving the convictions intact.

Sources

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