A 31-year-old convicted felon from Ocala who trying to sell a firearm to a pawn shop was sentenced to five years in federal prison.
On Friday, November 21, U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber sentenced Shymiere Montese Howell to five years in prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition affecting commerce as a convicted felon.
Howell pleaded guilty to the allegation on July 22, 2025.
According to court records, Howell has 19 prior felony convictions, including felony firearm possession, child neglect, battery, and drug possession.
On November 8, 2024, Howell entered a pawn shop in Leesburg and attempted to pawn a loaded firearm.
When Leesburg Police Department officers arrived at the pawn shop, Howell pushed past them, attempting to flee the premises. However, he was shortly arrested.
Due to his prior felony convictions, Howell is forbidden by federal law from having firearms or ammunition.
The Leesburg Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives worked together to investigate this case. William S. Hamilton, Assistant US Attorney, prosecuted the case.
Howell was caught by Leesburg police in August 2022 after using a counterfeit $100 bill to purchase a pack of smokes at a nearby petrol station and then attempting to do so again the following day.
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