Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Bradenton Man Indicted for Federal Arson and Firearm Offenses
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the return of an indictment charging Henry Blain Howard (47, Bradenton) with arson, possessing an unregistered destructive device, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. If convicted on all counts, Howard faces a mandatory minimum term of 50 years in federal prison.
According to the indictment, on June 20, 2014, Howard knowingly possessed a destructive device that had not been registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. Further, he used the device in furtherance of the arson of two vehicles.
Additionally, on October 7, 2014, during a search of Howard’s home, investigators recovered two rifles and several rounds of ammunition. At the time of the search, Howard was a convicted felon and, therefore, was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
This case was jointly investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carlton C. Gammons.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed violations of the federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.