MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Dalwayne Howard, 26, Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 18 months in federal prison, followed by a two-year term of supervised release, for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Howard pleaded guilty to this charge on May 14, 2018.
On December 7, 2017, Howard was arrested on two active arrest warrants issued for him, stemming from two separate domestic incidents that allegedly occurred in late November and early December 2017. Howard was located at a hotel where he was staying. In his hotel room, officers recovered a 9mm pistol, a magazine loaded with 13 rounds of ammunition, two digital scales, thirty-five 9mm rounds of ammunition, a grinder that field-tested positive for the presence of fentanyl, small quantities of suspect controlled substances, and a container with a false bottom.
Howard told police the firearm belonged to his friend, but that he had handled it in the hotel room. Howard admitted being a heroin user, and selling marijuana for a profit. After this arrest, Howard was able to post bond in Dane County Circuit Court and he allegedly committed additional acts of domestic violence on Dec. 13, 2017. Those felony charges are pending in Dane County Circuit Court.
A federal grand jury indicted Howard on Dec. 20, 2017, and he was arrested in Missouri on Dec. 28, 2017. Howard has remained in federal custody since that time, and today he asked for a sentence of time-served. Judge Conley declined that request because of the defendant’s undisputed drug use while possessing firearms, as well as his alleged acts of violence against women.
In 2016, Howard was convicted in Cook County, Illinois, of felony aggravated unlawful use of weapon/vehicle.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
The charge against Howard was the result of an investigation conducted by the Madison Police Department. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
