Howard sentenced in OVI, firearms case

Akeem Howard returned to court for sentencing after refusing legal counsel throughout his case. He was charged with two misdemeanor OVI counts, a felony charge of improper handling of firearms and a misdemeanor count of using a weapon while intoxicated.

Howard entered a no-contest plea, meaning he accepted punishment without admitting guilt. He was sentenced to two years of community-based control, a mandatory minimum of three days in jail, a $565 fine, six points on his driver’s license and a one-year license suspension. He also received an 11-month reserved sentence and was ordered to complete an Ohio Risk Assessment.

In a separate case, Emily Gallagher appeared via video from the Summit County Jail. Gallagher was indicted in September on one count of grand theft of a motor vehicle, a fourth-degree felony, and tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony.

Prosecutor Lauren Knight said the state offered a plea agreement in which Gallagher would plead guilty to both counts. “It’s my understanding that Ms. Gallagher is on supervision in Summit County,” Knight said. “The state’s recommendation is that she be placed on community-based controls concurrent with that. We would ask for a 24-month reserved sentence.”

Knight said the alleged victim recently filed a restitution request totaling $5,381.37. Gallagher’s attorney, Seneca Konturas, told the court he was not aware of the restitution claim, believing insurance had covered the loss. Knight said the request was submitted only days earlier and indicated the alleged victim may be self-insured. She asked the court for 30 days to revisit the issue.

Judge Shawn Hervey granted the request and proceeded with sentencing under the terms of the plea agreement.