Man celebrates freedom on Thanksgiving

HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) - For the first time in four years, Johnathon Montgomery celebrated Thanksgiving as a free man.

Montgomery was released from prison on Tuesday, after Governor McDonnell issued a conditional pardon that ordered the Montgomery's immediate release.

In an e-mail sent to WAVY.com, Montgomery's father said Johnathon arrived home on Wednesday night and helped put up Christmas lights while Thanksgiving dinner was being prepared on Thursday.

Once the meal was completed, Johnathon was given the honor of carving the turkey.

Johnathon is slowly getting settled back into life outside of prison by getting to do things he has not been allowed to do over the last four years, such as cooking and the chance to enjoy the latest cell phone technologies, which have come along way since 2008. He even tried on a pair of his old pants that were a little too big following his release from prison.