Taos County Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Carjacking Charge

U.S. Attorney’s Office
District of New Mexico
17 April 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ALBUQUERQUE – Richard Howieson, 56, of Costilla, N.M., pled guilty this afternoon in Albuquerque, N.M., to a federal carjacking charge. The plea agreement recommends that Howieson be sentenced to a term of imprisonment within the range of 12 to 36 months followed by a period of supervised release to be determined by the court.

Howieson was arrested on Oct. 11, 2016, on a three-count indictment charging him with carjacking, carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment was superseded on Feb. 7, 2017, to charge Howieson with carjacking and carrying a firearm in relation to a crime of violence. According to the indictment, Howieson committed these crimes on Feb. 19, 2013, in Taos County, N.M.

During today’s proceedings, Howieson pled guilty to a felony information charging him with carjacking on Feb. 19, 2013. Howieson remains in federal custody pending a sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.

This case was investigated by the Santa Fe office of the FBI and the New Mexico State Police, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney George Kraehe.