Man Who Fired Gun 7 Times At Ex-Girlfriend Sentenced To Prison: DOJ

TAMPA, FL — On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday sentenced Thaddeus Timeaus Howard, 30, of Tampa to 10 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm that he fired at his ex-girlfriend multiple times.

The court also ordered Howard to forfeit the firearm and ammunition seized during his arrest. Howard pleaded guilty on Dec. 15.

According to court documents, on July 9, Howard fired approximately seven shots at his ex-girlfriend in her Sulphur Springs neighborhood. After firing the gun, Howard got into his car and chased his ex-girlfriend, who fled in a car driven by her cousin. That chase ended when Howard caused a multi-vehicle accident swerving in and out of traffic near the intersection of North Nebraska Avenue and East Broad Street.

Howard fled the scene of the crash on foot and was apprehended by Tampa police, said court records. Upon searching Howard, officers found a pistol in the pocket of his jeans.

Howard has prior felony convictions for armed robbery and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and is, therefore, prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Tampa Police Department and the FBI.