Previously convicted felon arrested as part of Cincinnati violent crime reduction initiative pleads guilty to gun crime (DOJ)

CINCINNATI - A Cincinnati man who was arrested in March as part of a federal, state and local violent crime reduction initiative pleaded guilty in federal court here to illegally possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon.

Austin Fowler, 46, has previous convictions for aggravated robbery, drug possession, drug trafficking and weapons under disability.

According to court documents, Cincinnati police officers were conducting an investigation into a high-crime area in November 2025 when they saw Fowler commit a pedestrian violation. When an officer attempted to contact Fowler, Fowler ran and attempted to jump a fence to avoid capture. The defendant was apprehended and had a loaded pistol in his jacket pocket.

Fowler was arrested on March 9 and remains in custody pending sentencing.

Possessing a firearm or ammunition as a previously convicted felon is a federal crime punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors at a future hearing.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jorge Rosendo, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); and Cincinnati Interim Police Chief Adam Hennie announced the guilty plea entered on Aug. 12 before Senior U.S. District Judge Susan J. Dlott. Assistant United States Attorney Ashley N. Brucato is representing the United States in this case.

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