In New York state, anti-drug-war activist, painter and author Anthony Papa has received a pardon from New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. In 1985, Papa agreed to deliver an envelope of cocaine in a police sting operation in return for $500. His first and only criminal offense cost him a 15-year-to-life sentence. In 1996, Papa won a sentence commutation from then-New York Governor George Pataki. He’s believed to be the first person in New York state history to receive both a sentence commutation and a pardon.