Neptune Man Sentenced On Federal Firearms Charge: Prosecutor

NEPTUNE, NJ – A Neptune man was sentenced to 30 months in prison, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced Monday

In federal court in Trenton, Khalil I. Howard, 24, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Peter G. Sheridan after pleading guilty to firearm possession while being a previously convicted felon.
According to court documents, on April 7, 2019, Asbury Park police officers were patrolling Asbury Park Gardens, a public housing complex known as a high-crime area.

Police were advised of a gathering in honor of a recently deceased gang member that was taking place at the complex. The officers went to where the gathering was taking place and conducted a walk-through. One of the officers saw Howard attempting to conceal a prominent bulge in his left jacket pocket. Howard quickly turned started to walk away.

Howard was apprehended, and officers found a loaded stolen semi-automatic handgun inside Howard’s jacket. As a previously convicted felon, Howard is not permitted to possess firearms under federal law.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Sheridan sentenced Howard to three years of supervised release.