In a display of sympathy, US President Barack Obama approved the pardon of nine individuals convicted of committing crimes. One of those pardoned is Ronald Foster. Now 66, Foster was convicted along with 16 companions for cutting apart pennies into dimes to use soda and cigarette vending machines on their military base almost 40 years ago. During the 42 years that Foster spent in prison, he did not even know that he was convicted for committing a federal crime. For him and his companions, cutting up pennies seemed to be insignificant back then. Obama agrees with Foster and thus approved of his pardon.
Foster is an exception out of the convicted thieves list that includes both drug dealers and users. Almost 47 years ago, Foster was earning US$82 each month working for the US Marines at Camp Lejeune. That was when he and his 16 other jail companions decided to cut up pennies to be able to purchase cigarettes and sodas from vending machines on the base. The pardoned felon admitted cutting the lips off the pennies and using them on washing and vending machines on the base. Foster is also a retired mill worker from Beaver Falls.
During the time of the crime, cigarette packs cost anywhere from 20 to 30 cents, so Foster chuckled on the thought of being able to purchase a whole pack with only three cents. Foster and his companions stopped laughing when the Secret Service caught up with them. They were directed into a base courtroom where they were pleaded guilty by their own commanding officer to charges of coin mutilation.