Elmore County man sentenced to federal prison for drug and gun crimes

A federal judge has sentenced an Elmore County man to eight years in prison after the man pleaded guilty to federal drug and gun charges.

Acting U.S. Attorney Kevin Davidson said 31-year-old Desmond Chrishawn Howard, a resident of the town of Elmore, has also been ordered to serve three years of supervised release following his prison term.

There is no parole in the federal system.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office says that according to his plea agreement and other court records, on June 13, 2024, Elmore County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a domestic disturbance call involving a physical altercation at a home in Elmore involving a female and Howard.

The U.S. Attorney says the female told law enforcement that she had left the home and that Howard was following her in another vehicle. Deputies spotted Howard’s vehicle and attempted a traffic stop but Howard refused to stop, the U.S. Attorney says. During the pursuit, deputies observed Howard throw two objects from his car window then he returned to his home in Elmore where he was taken into custody, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

When investigators returned to the area where Howard discarded the two objects, they say they found a handgun and a glove containing suspected dimethylpentylone or “molly.” Laboratory analysis later confirmed the drug to be dimethylpentylone, they say.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office says Howard has a previous felony conviction and is prohibited from possessing a gun 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.

— Information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Alabama