South Bend man sentenced to 4 years for aiding and abetting

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - A South Bend man was sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting the making of false statements in the straw purchase of a firearm, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

George L. Howell, 55, was sentenced to four years in prison followed by one year of supervised release.

In January 2020, Howell allegedly had another person buy a firearm for him at a pawn shop in South Bend.

Howell, who is a convicted felon, is legally prohibited from purchasing firearms, according to reports.

During the firearm purchase, the buyer allegedly lied on a form saying the firearm was for them when it was actually for Howell.

Both Howell and the buyer knew the gun was for Howell, documents state.

Investigators found the purchased firearm in a truck Howell was driving, reports said.