AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC at 410-209-4885

August 17, 2006

BLADENSBURG MAN SENTENCED TO OVER 16 YEARS IN PRISON ON DRUG AND WEAPONS CHARGES

Defendant Stated That He “Should Have Shot” The Arresting Officers

GREENBELT, Maryland - Karim Mowatt, age 34, of Bladensburg, Maryland was sentenced today to 197 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute ecstasy, being a felon in possession of a firearm, use of a firearm in connection with drug trafficking and being a violent felon in possession of body armor, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein.

U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow sentenced Mowatt to the maximum penalty allowed under the sentencing guidelines based on evidence presented by the government. Specifically, the government showed that in the current case Mowatt repeatedly and violently resisted arrest on November 17, 2005; that he stated that he “should have shot” the arresting officers when he had the opportunity; and that several of the guns seized from his home were loaded. Mowatt was prohibited from owning firearms, ammunition or body armor due to his previous conviction for assault with a deadly weapon (gun) and concealed weapon in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia on May 27, 1989. The government presented evidence that Mowatt’s previous conviction understated the severe nature of the underlying conduct. In court documents the 1989 shooting by Mowatt was recounted by one of the investigating officers, as follows: “The victim was struck by the first round; the shot caused the victim to fall to the ground. The defendant (Mowatt) then approached the victim as he lay on the ground and fired three additional rounds into the victim’s body...” Judge Chasanow took these factors into account in determining Mowatt’s sentence.

Mowatt was convicted by a federal jury on May 10, 2006. According to the testimony presented at trial, on November 17, 2005, officers of the Bladensburg Police Department (“BPD”) received information of loud music and a strong odor of marijuana coming from an apartment in the 5800 block of Annapolis Road in Bladensburg. Officers knocked on the door several times. Witnesses testified that Mowatt initially refused to open the door, but finally did and a strong odor of marijuana emanated from within the premises. Mowatt refused repeated commands to show his hands as he began to back into the apartment foyer towards an open bedroom door. Believing the defendant might possess a weapon, officers attempted to secure him. The defendant swung at an officer’s hand and the officers arrested Mowatt. After the arrest, officers observed a handgun, later identified as a loaded .357 caliber revolver, on the floor just inside the door of the bedroom. Mowatt attempted to escape custody, despite being handcuffed. After Mowatt’s arrest, officers obtained a search warrant for his apartment and recovered 1,594 ecstasy pills in his refrigerator/freezer, a Norinco SKS 7.62x39 caliber semi-automatic rifle with loaded magazine; a Romarm/Cugir 7.62x39 caliber semi-automatic rifle with loaded magazine; ammunition; one set of P.A.C.A. Body Armor; 2309 grams of marijuana in various packages; a digital scale; and $19,640 from two bags hidden within the headrest of a chair.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the investigative work performed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Montgomery County Police Department and the Bladensburg Police Department. Mr. Rosenstein also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney James M. Trusty, who prosecuted the case.