BOISE – Anthony Alex Howard, 23, of Boise, Idaho, was sentenced in United States District Court today to 30 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for unlawfully possessing a firearm, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge also ordered Howard to forfeit the firearm found in his possession. He pleaded guilty to the charge on July 13, 2012.

According to arguments at sentencing, on April 15, 2011, a concerned citizen called police to report suspicious behavior exhibited by Howard. It was reported that Howard was observed sitting in a car parked in front of a residence, exiting the vehicle, and tucking what appeared to be a firearm into his waistband. Howard than approached a house, returned to his vehicle, left, and then returned a short time later. When questioned by Boise Police, Howard was found to be in possession of marijuana and a stolen firearm. The owner of the firearm, an associate of the defendant, was overseas serving a tour in Iraq, when the defendant burglarized his home and stole his firearm. Further evidence was presented that Howard burglarized other homes, stole firearms, and sold them on the street.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Boise Police Department.

The case was prosecuted as part of Idaho’s Project Safe Neighborhoods Program, which seeks to reduce gun violence in Idaho.