Elmore County, Alabama Man Sentenced to Eight Years in Federal Prison Following Federal Drug and Gun Convictions

            MONTGOMERY, Ala. – On March 12, 2025, a federal judge sentenced 31-year-old Desmond Chrishawn Howard, a resident of Elmore, Alabama, to 96 months in prison after pleading guilty to federal gun and drug charges, announced Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson. In addition, the judge ordered that Howard serve three years of supervised release following his prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.

            According to his plea agreement and other court records, on June 13, 2024, deputies with the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office responded to a domestic disturbance call reporting a physical altercation at a residence in the Town of Elmore involving a female and a male, identified as Desmond Howard. While deputies were enroute, the female told law enforcement that she had left the residence, and that Howard was following her in another vehicle. Deputies spotted Howard’s vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. Howard refused to stop. During the pursuit, deputies observed Howard throw two objects from his car window then he returned to his residence in Elmore. Deputies took Howard into custody without further incident.

            When investigators returned to the area where Howard discarded the two objects, they found a handgun and a glove containing suspected dimethylpentylone or "molly." Laboratory analysis later confirmed the drug to be dimethylpentylone. Howard has a previous felony conviction and is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition. On November 20, 2024, Howard pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute and possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony offense.

            The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Elmore County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case, which Assistant United States Attorney J. Patrick Lamb prosecuted.