By The Associated Press

 

DECATUR - After an effort that took more than four years, two Decatur business people have been granted presidential pardons for crimes committed nearly 20 years ago.

 

Jon Kozeliski and Karen Ragee in 1994 were sentenced to a year of probation, including six months of home confinement, for using Star Silkscreen Design Incorporated in an effort to traffic in counterfeit goods.

 

Their attorney, J. Steven Beckett, said the pair were told Friday of their pardons. He said it was ``a very pleasant surprise,'' because they didn't know in advance of the president's decision.

 

Beckett said other than their one offense, Kozeliski and Ragee have been good citizens and have shown remorse. The White House offered no details on why the pair were pardoned by Obama, who has issued few pardons.