United States Attorney
Northern District of Texas

1100 Commerce St., 3rd Fl.
Dallas, Texas 75242-1699

Telephone (214) 659-8600
Fax (214) 767-0978

WICHITA FALLS MAN SENTENCED TO 57 MONTHS
ON FIREARMS CONVICTION

Conviction Part of Project Safe Neighborhood Initiative

United States Attorney Richard B. Roper announced that Howard James McMillan, a/k/a “Bud Hawkins,” of Wichita Falls, Texas, was sentenced today by the Honorable Jerry Buchmeyer, United States Senior District Judge, to 57 months imprisonment, without parole, following his guilty plea in April to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. McMillan, age 40, has been in custody since his arrest in January 2006. He has a prior state conviction for two counts of aggravated robbery and two counts of aggravated kidnapping.

In January 2006, when officers of the Wichita Falls Police Department Organized Crime Unit were conducting surveillance on a known drug house located on McGregor Avenue in Wichita Falls, a white Ford truck, driven by McMillan with a female passenger, left the residence. Officers observed the truck run a red light and stop at a local convenience store. McMillan went into the convenience store and when he came out of the store he was approached by two officers who questioned him about the traffic infraction. As another officer approached the pickup from the passenger side, he observed a methamphetamine smoking pipe in plain view on the seat next to the female passenger. When the officers identified themselves, McMillan dropped his purchases and ran. Officers followed him and very shortly apprehended him. During a search incident to McMillan’s arrest, officers discovered a small plastic bag containing methamphetamine in his pants pocket. While an officer retrieved the smoking pipe from the truck, he observed a Star .22 caliber pistol, with no serial number, in plain view on the drivers side floor board.

McMillan stated that the firearm, as well as the other evidence on him and in the truck, belonged to him.

U.S. Attorney Roper praised the investigative efforts of the Wichita Falls Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Gary Tromblay.

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