2 Waukesha Residents Pardoned By Governor Thursday

WAUKESHA, WI — Two people from Waukesha were among 18 who were pardoned by Gov. Tony Evers on Thursday.

The Governor’s Pardon Advisory Board heard from applicants via a virtual meeting on June 23.

“A pardon won’t fix the challenges facing our criminal justice system, but it can have a tremendous impact on a person’s life,” Evers said in a statement. “Each of these people earned a pardon by serving their sentence and making positive contributions to society.”

According to the Governor's office, Matthew Raasch, 41, was struggling with drug addiction when he cashed fraudulent checks to support his addiction.

Raasch, who now lives in Waukesha, volunteers his time to work with Waukesha County inmates and drug and alcohol treatment courts as a mentor to those struggling with addiction, authorities said.

The Governor's office also pardoned Andrew Ophoven on Thursday. Ophoven was arrested by three plain-clothed detectives for selling marijuana 20 years ago, officials said. He has since gone to school for culinary arts and hospitality management.

Ophoven, a Waukesha resident, said he hopes someday he will be able to own his own restaurant, according to information provided by the Governor's office.

The Wisconsin Constitution grants the governor the power to pardon people who have been convicted of a crime. A pardon is an official act of forgiveness that restores some rights that are lost when someone is convicted of a felony, including the right to serve on a jury, hold public office, and hold certain professional licenses.

Under state law, people convicted of a Wisconsin felony can apply for a pardon if they completed their sentence at least five years ago and have not committed any new crimes. Those currently required to register on the sex offender registry are ineligible for a pardon.