Bryant, I guess your memory is short.  

From Wikipedia:

"On September 8, 1974, president of the United States Gerald Ford issued Proclamation 4311, which gave Richard Nixon a full and unconditional pardon for any crimes he might have committed against the United States while president"

President Nixon was never charged with any crimes before or after the pardon and his broken promise not to do so was my reason for voting against Mr. Ford, although I agreed that it was necessary for our nation's stability.  Ford just lied about it.

A presidential pardon, by this precedent, does not require a prior charge to have been made.

Ed Snowden is a modern day hero.