Fairbanks man sentenced to 12.5 years for meth, heroin trafficking

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - Sherman Kay Howard, 40, of Fairbanks was sentenced in U.S. District Court on charges of possessing with intent to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine, and over 100 grams of heroin.

According to the prosecution’s sentencing memorandum: on February 11, 2019, an Alaska State Trooper pulled Howard over for speeding and discovered that he had outstanding arrest warrants. Troopers searched the vehicle and found what appeared to be meth. Howard told troopers that they would likely find over two pounds of methamphetamine and eight to ten pieces of heroin in the vehicle.

Troopers ended up finding 971.5 grams of 99% pure meth and 198.5 grams of heroin in the car. They also found other drugs and drug dealing paraphernalia. Howard also told troopers that he sold over half of the methamphetamine in Fairbanks.

The FBI took over the case and arrested Howard in January of 2020. Howard later plead guilty to count one of his indictment: intent to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine and over 100 grams of heroin. He also admitted the facts of count two: possession of any amount of methamphetamine or heroin for a separate incident.

According to court records, Howard has a history of drug violations. The prosecutor quoted the court in his sentencing memorandum as saying, “Of all the cases the court has reviewed, there are few if any where a prisoner in pretrial custody has a criminal history as long and ongoing as this defendant.”

The memorandum continued by saying that the, “Defendant’s abysmal criminal history” and the seriousness of the crimes justifies a long sentence.