Attorney General James Uthmeier Announces Arrest of Dangerous Criminal Commuted by Biden Admin Autopen; Initiates Review of all Biden Autopen Commutations

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Last night, Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the arrest of Oscar Fowler, a dangerous repeat offender whose federal prison sentence was commuted by autopen during the final days of the Biden Administration.

“The Biden administration’s use of the autopen is putting Floridians at risk by allowing dangerous felons back on the street, but we won’t put up with it,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “I’ve directed the Office of Statewide Prosecution to review every auto-penned commutation and pardon from the Biden administration that affects Florida. If we can bring state-level charges, we will work with every level of government to do so. Auto-pen accountability starts today.”

“Oscar Fowler needs to be held accountable for his actions, and his arrest represents an important step in protecting our community,” said Chief of St. Petersburg Police Anthony Holloway. “St. Petersburg is safer with him off our streets.”

“ATF is proud to have played a role in locking up this notoriously violent offender in 2024,” said ATF Tampa Field Division’s Acting Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Harrell, “and we will continue to help our local, state and federal partners keep America—and communities across Florida—safe.”

Last week, Attorney General Uthmeier directed the Office of Statewide Prosecution to review the facts surrounding Fowler’s commutation and the viability of state charges for his crimes. 

On Monday, February 23, 2026, Fowler was taken into custody by the St. Petersburg Police Department and charged with two counts of intent to sell a controlled substance and one count of felon in possession of a firearm. These charges are the state equivalent to Fowler’s prior federal charges. The investigation was a joint effort between the St. Petersburg Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives-Tampa Field Division (ATF-Tampa), State Attorney for the Sixth Judicial Circuit Bruce Bartlett, and the Office of Statewide Prosecution.

Fowler is a convicted felon with a criminal history spanning more than a decade. He was previously serving a 12.5-year federal prison sentence before it was commuted by autopen. 

The arrest underscores Florida’s unwavering commitment to pursuing prosecutions to the fullest extent of the law, even when federal clemency decisions—issued via autopen—attempt to override accountability and jeopardize public safety.

If convicted, Fowler faces up to 45 years in the Florida Department of Corrections.

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