Article updated: 3/1/2013 5:40 PM

Obama issues pardons to 17 for minor offenses

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President Barack Obama speaks to reporters Friday.

Associated Press

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President Barack Obama on Friday issued pardons for 17 people, largely for minor offenses.Those receiving pardons came from 13 states and had been sentenced for crimes that included falsely altering a money order, unauthorized acquisition of food stamps, drug violations, and possession of an unregistered firearm.