Description: Jefferson City, Missouri criminal defense lawyer represented defendant charged with with illegally possessed various firearms and controlled substances pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally possessing firearms.

Chauncey Erin Howard, 37, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah W. Hays to one count of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

According to today’s plea agreement, a task force officer with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives watched Howard’s Snapchat account in which he regularly posted photos and videos of himself in possession of firearms and controlled substances. Howard also posted announcements that he had controlled substances for sale.

In July 2020, Howard was pictured in two posts brandishing a silver Smith & Wesson .40-caliber semi-automatic handgun with a green laser and flashlight attachment. In one of those posts, Howard was in possession of approximately 24 Oxycodone pills. Howard also posted a video of himself in possession of the same handgun as well as two Taurus handguns. Another video on Howard’s Snapchat account displayed two five-gallon buckets full of prepackaged marijuana products from a marijuana dispensary, which Howard stated he was selling.

Howard posted additional videos on Snapchat in the days that followed that depicted him displaying firearms and ammunition, and a video of him firing a Taurus firearm into an improvised backstop. That video then showed Howard in possession of an AR-style rifle. Howard also posted videos in which he offered to sell marijuana, crack cocaine, and other controlled substances.

On July 22, 2020, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Howard’s residence. Officers found the Smith & Wesson .40-caliber semi-automatic handgun with the green laser and flashlight attachment, a Taurus 9mm semi-automatic handgun, an S.C. Nova Grup S.R.L. 9mm semi-automatic handgun, marijuana, and $16,201 in cash. Officers also found THC gummies and $950 in a vehicle that Howard had been driving.

Under federal statutes, Howard is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley S. Turner. It was investigated by the Boone County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

UNLAWFUL TRANSPORT OF FIREARMS, ETC.
(1)
VIOLENT CRIME/DRUGS/MACHINE GUN
(2)

Outcome: 05/24/2022 27 Consent to Entry of Felony Plea Before Magistrate Judge by Chauncey Erin Howard. (Berry, Steven) (Entered: 05/24/2022)
05/24/2022 28 Minute Entry for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Sarah W. Hays: CHANGE OF PLEA HEARING as to Chauncey Erin Howard held on 5/24/2022. Defendant consents to proceed by video teleconference. Defendant sworn. The Court found the defendant competent to understand the proceedings and to enter a knowing plea. Government read charges and range of punishment. The Court questioned defendant regarding the Plea Agreement and advised defendant of rights waived by pleading guilty. Plea Agreement filed. Defendant entered a plea of guilty to Count 2 of the Indictment. A Pre-sentence Investigation Report ordered. Court will enter a Report and Recommendation. Defendant remains in the custody of the US Marshal. Time in court: 2:25 pm to 2:50 pm. To order a transcript of this hearing please contact Angel Geiser, 573-556-7564. (Geiser, Angel) (Entered: 05/24/2022)
05/24/2022 29 PLEA AGREEMENT as to Chauncey Erin Howard. (Geiser, Angel) (Entered: 05/24/2022)

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