Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

CONCORD - James Howard, 39, of Somersworth, pleaded guilty in federal court to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on September 27, 2019, agents from the ATF executed a search warrant at a home where Howard stayed. At the home, agents found a Marlin Wester Auto firearm receiver and ammunition.

Howard is a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

Howard is scheduled to be sentenced on May 12, 2020.

"Preventing violent crime requires that we keep guns out of the hands of convicted felons," said U.S. Attorney Murray. "Under Project Safe Neighborhoods we work closely with ATF, the Somersworth Police Department and all of our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute criminals who possess guns unlawfully."

"This arrest demonstrates the outstanding partnership between ATF and the Somersworth Police Department as well as the commitment we share to work together to interdict illegal firearms and the criminals that compromise the safety of our communities," said Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Char ATF Boston Field Division.

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Somersworth Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra M. Walsh.

The case is part of ATF’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, which is a federally-funded program intended to reduce gun violence through law enforcement training, public education, and aggressive law enforcement efforts to investigate and prosecute gun-related crimes.

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