“You don’t have to be convicted, sentenced, and serving time to be pardoned.”
But you do have to be brought up on charges or intent to file charges. Nixon faced articles of impeachment which would have led to criminal charges. So there was logical intent. The minute Comey said there were no charges being brought against Clinton, Obama lost his ability to pardon her. Now if Comey said, “At this time...” then Obama could have pardoned her.
In this instance, the guy would be farther along than Nixon.
He would be farther along than Hillary too.