Howard Richardson, 362-AFO #swingergramps

Sentence

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Criminal History

In July 2018, police in Philadelphia responded to a call for a person with a gun involved in a dispute with two individuals at a gas station. Richardson and the two complainants got into an argument over where the complainant had parked, blocking the gas pumps. During the argument, Richardson lifted his shirt to show that he was carrying a concealed firearm. Richardson claimed to the police that he did so because he “felt threatened,” but it does not appear he offered any explanation for that feeling. Later, as the altercation continued, Richardson drew his weapon. Richardson conceded this was true; his explanation to the police was that he never pointed the firearm at either of the complainants.

No one was arrested as a result of this incident, but Richardson’s permit to carry a concealed firearm was revoked. A revocation letter was sent to Richardson in August 2018 explaining that his permit was revoked because he was determined to be “[a] person whose character/reputation indicates danger to public safety.” Richardson hired an attorney to contest the revocation and re-instate his permit, demonstrating his knowledge of the decision to revoke.
On October 10, 2020, Richardson was pulled over for driving a car with suspended registration; during the traffic stop, police determined that Richardson’s driver’s license was also suspended. The officer asked Richardson if he was carrying a firearm. Richardson reported that he was not, and specifically added that his permit to carry was revoked because of an altercation in Philadelphia, and his firearm had been confiscated. But later, the officer asked Richardson again if he was armed. Only then, after first lying to the officer and pretending to be unarmed, did Richardson disclose that he had a loaded, concealed weapon on his right hip—and that in fact he “always carries” a firearm. This caused the officer to call for backup, remove Richardson from the car, and confiscate the weapon. Richardson was issued a summons and charged with carrying firearms and driving without a license. He was released on $5,000 unsecured bond. That case remains pending.

On September 23, 2021, Richardson allegedly assaulted a motorcyclist riding down his street. The victim reported that Richardson “tackled him” off his motorcycle, causing a crash. The incident was witnessed by neighbors and captured on a surveillance camera located across the street from the event.
The victim rider can be heard in the surveillance footage screaming out in pain. He was taken to the emergency room and treated for significant injuries including stitches to his eyebrow area, ligament damage to his fingers, and surgery for a “chunk taken out of his right leg.” About five minutes later, the victim’s brother came to assist, carrying a metal pipe or spike. He claimed Richardson “brandished a firearm” and so he dropped the pipe. A neighbor who witnessed the aftermath of the incident said he saw Richardson go to his truck, which was parked near the site of the crash, and pull out a knife with a 7-inch blade which he displayed to the brother. After the incident, Richardson spoke to the police; his account was significantly different from the victim’s and the neighbor’s. Richardson claimed he had been trying to slow down the motorcyclist and that the rider clipped him as he (Richardson) attempted to get out of the way. He also denied brandishing any weapon, including a firearm or a knife, during the incident.
The video does not reflect any effort by Richardson to get out of the way; instead, he appears to lean into the rider’s path. Richardson was charged with aggravated assault and other crimes relating to this incident. He was arrested on October 25, 2021.

Documentation