Delta felon sentenced for the illegal possession of dozens of firearms, flying without a license & other aviation fraud charges (DOJ)

GREENVILLE, MS - Christopher Douglas Showah, 51, of Indianola, was sentenced today after pleading guilty to three federal felonies. Honorable Deborah M. Brown, Chief United States District Court Judge, sentenced Showah to 96 months in federal prison

According to court documents and admissions made at the defendant's change of plea hearing he pleaded guilty to the following:

• Possession of firearms by a convicted felon;
• Flying without a valid airman's certificate;
• Fraud relating to maintenance work performed on an aircraft donated to Delta State University for their aviation program.

Showah was initially investigated by the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General for flying after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an emergency order suspending his airman's certificate. Investigators learned that despite this order from the FAA, Showah continued to fly and do airplane mechanic's work for M&D Aviation, in violation of federal law and regulation. Investigators also learned that Showah had conducted inspections and performed maintenance on an aircraft which was later donated for use by students at Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi, despite not possessing a valid certification allowing him to perform work on the aircraft.

Federal agents, assisted by agents with the Mississippi Agricultural & Livestock Theft Bureau, executed a federal search warrant at Showah's hanger, residence and shop. During this search, agents observed and seized almost forty (40) firearms. Showah was prohibited by federal law from possessing any firearms following several felony convictions in Sunflower and Sharkey Counties in Mississippi.

This was investigated by the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, Mississippi Agricultural & Livestock Theft Bureau and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

United States Attorney Scott Leary stated that "law enforcement responsibilities often involve issues of public safety. The Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, the Mississippi Agricultural & Livestock Theft Bureau, and the ATF worked hard on this case, and the citizens of the Northern District of Mississippi are safer because of their efforts. Thank you for your hard work."

"The defendant's disregard for federal aviation safety requirements and decision to continue flying and performing aircraft maintenance without proper certification placed the public at real and unnecessary risk," said Joseph Harris, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General's Southern Region. "The sentence handed down today reflects the seriousness of these violations and reinforces our commitment to working with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners to protect the safety and integrity of the nation's airspace and the communities we serve."

"In our effort to disrupt violent gun crime in our community, ATF will continue to focus efforts on prohibited individuals who unlawfully possess firearms," said ATF New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson. "The sentence imposed today sends a message that ATF will continue to work alongside our partners at the U.S. Attorney's Office to ensure these convicted felons are removed from our communities and held fully accountable so we can keep our neighborhoods safe as the top priority for ATF."

Assistant U.S. Attorney John Herzog, Jr. prosecuted the case.

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice's nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys' offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department's commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump's Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.