President Obama issued a set of pardons for the third time in his presidency Monday.  The president pardoned five people and commuted the sentence of a sixth.  According to the Associated Press, the pardon recipients are as follows:

- Lesley Claywood Berry Jr. of Loretto, Ky., sentenced in 1988 to three years in prison for conspiracy to manufacture and distribute marijuana.

- Dennis George Bulin of Wesley Chapel, Fla., sentenced in 1987 to five years of probation and a $20,000 fine for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute in excess of 1,000 pounds of marijuana.

- Ricky Dale Collett of Annville, Ky., sentenced in 2002 to one year of probation for aiding and abetting in the manufacture of 61 marijuana plants.

- Thomas Paul Ledford of Jonesborough, Tenn., sentenced in 1995 to one year of probation for conducting and directing an illegal gambling business.

- Martin Kaprelian of Park Ridge, Ill., was sentenced to nine years in prison for conspiracy to transport stolen property in interstate commerce, and other related charges.

Eugenia Marie Jennings of Alton, Ill. had her 20-year sentence for distribution of cocaine commuted.  Jennings is scheduled to be released from prison on Dec. 21, 2011 and will then be subject to eight years of supervised release.

A statement from the White House did not specify why each person was chosen for pardon or commutation.

Per the Constitution, the president has the power to pardon or commute the sentences of those convicted of a federal offense.  Those seeking a pardon must file a petition with the Department of Justice after a five-year waiting period following conviction