posted June 18, 2007
Richard Leland Howard and Richard Thomas Howard - father and son - are facing charges after agents said they dealt in weapons and meth with undercover officers.
Authorities said on June 8 an undercover officer with the Chattanooga Police Department began negotiating a deal with the Howards to trade meth to them for firearms.
Agents said within the past month, there had been purchases of 10 firearms from the pair for cash.
An affidavit says it was agreed that the Howards would trade three firearms for an ounce of meth.
Last Monday, the undercover agent traveled to the residence of Richard Thomas Howard at an apartment at 4616 Sunflower Dr., where he met both Howards. Richard Leland Howard displayed three firearms - a Remington 1100 12-gauge shotgun, a Hi Standard 12-gauge shotgun and a Stevens 12-gauge shotgun. He got them from under a bed.
Before the transaction could be completed, agents of the city police and the ATF executed a search warrant and arrested both Howards.
Richard T. Howard admitted he had purchased a large number of firearms several years ago and was selling them. He admitted he had traded weapons for meth and crack in the past, the affidavit says.
He also admitted to owning firearms at another location.
Both Howards are convicted felons, authorities said.
Richard Leland Howard is the man who was arrested for stealing a pickup truck on Mountain Creek Road last year. The dog, Foxy, belonging to Pamper and Tom Garner, was in the truck. The Crangles eventually got Foxy back.
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