Two Northeast Missourians Among Nixon Pardons

Missouri's outgoing Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon is pardoning 12 more people, including two from northeast Missouri.

Nixon on Friday announced the pardons to those convicted of theft and drug-related crimes, such as selling cocaine.

They've since found jobs or retired. One now mentors troubled youth, and another is active in his church.

Mark Stroud was discharged early from probation after being convicted of selling marijuana in 1996 in Lewis County. Stroud has maintained gainful employment.

Donnie Yantis now owns an excavating business and a cattle farm. He completed two years probation for possession of a controlled substance in 1990 in Shelby County.

During Nixon's nearly eight years as governor, he's granted 88 pardons and commuted the sentences of three incarcerated offenders.

Granting a pardon restores rights but doesn't expunge criminal records. Commutations shorten sentences.