A 31-year-old convicted felon from Ocala who attempted to sell a firearm to a pawn shop has been sentenced to five years in federal prison.
On Friday, November 21, U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber sentenced Shymiere Montese Howell to five years’ imprisonment for possession of a firearm and ammunition affecting commerce by a convicted felon.
Howell had pleaded guilty to the charge on July 22, 2025.
According to court records, Howell has 19 prior felony convictions, including possession of a firearm by a felon, child neglect, battery, and drug possession.
On November 8, 2024, Howell entered a pawn shop in Leesburg, where he attempted to pawn a handgun that was loaded.
When Leesburg Police Department officers arrived at the pawn shop, Howell pushed past them while trying to run out of the store. However, he was quickly taken into custody.
Under federal law, Howell is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition due to his prior felony convictions.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Leesburg Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William S. Hamilton.
Back in August of 2022, Howell was arrested by Leesburg police after he used a counterfeit $100 bill to buy a pack of cigarettes at a local gas station and then attempted to do it again the next day.