A man from suburban Chicago has been sentenced to 13 years in federal prison for cultivating a corrupt relationship with a federal law enforcement agent while trafficking cocaine. In 2018, Gary Howard, 48, of Oak Lawn, Illinois, attempted to purchase ten kilograms of cocaine from an undercover seller working with law enforcement. Howard was arrested at the scene and later found with over $106,000 in cash, a drug ledger, and a loaded handgun at his residence.
At the time of his arrest, Howard was registered as a confidential informant for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) under Special Agent Anthony Sabaini. It was revealed that Howard paid Sabaini thousands of dollars for sensitive information and protection from other agencies.
Howard was convicted last year by a federal jury on charges of drug conspiracy and attempted drug possession. U.S. District Judge Steven C. Seeger handed down the 13-year sentence on July 2, 2025.
Special Agent Sabaini had previously been convicted in 2023 for illegally structuring financial transactions and filing false tax returns. He received a sentence of over six years in federal prison.
The sentencing announcement came from Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, along with Sheila G. Lyons from the DEA Chicago Field Division. The FBI, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, and IRS Criminal Investigation also provided assistance.
“The Sabaini-Howard partnership stained the reputation of HSI and law enforcement at large, as their actions eroded the public trust,” stated Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan L. Shih and Jared Hasten in the government’s sentencing memorandum. “Corrupt confidential informants and those who work to corrupt federal law enforcement will be held accountable.”
