The Trump administration is under fire for backing the government of Venezuela against a mining company Crystallex, which seeks restitution for property theft occurring in 2011, when CITGO, a Venezuelan government-owned company, seized Crystallex's assets.
Frank Merold, 61, has served 20 years for a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute conviction. He was sentenced to life on Aug. 9, 2001 and applied for clemency during the Obama administration. His petition was denied in 2016.