Michael G. Pelletier, of Maine, said he was surprised but elated to get the call on his pardon request, which was part of what is being described as the single-largest day of clemency in recent U.S. history.

An Augusta man is among 39 people pardoned by President Joe Biden. The pardons announced Thursday are for people who have served out home confinement sentences for at least a year after they were released. The White House says 67-year-old Gary Pelletier of Augusta was pardoned.