Court document: U. S. Attorney says drunk felon in stolen car who fired weapon in Carl Junction should receive a long sentence

In a sentencing memorandum filed today in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri, an assistant U. S. attorney asked the judge to throw the book at a Pittsburg, Kansas felon who was driving a stolen car and on the run from Cherokee County and Jasper County deputies when he fired a gun in Carl Junction.

William F. Askew, 39, will be sentenced 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in federal court in Springfield for being a felon unlawfully possessing and transporting a firearm.

Assistant U. S. Attorney Abram McGull II cited Askew's 51 arrests since he became an adult and his inability to learn from any of them in the memorandum, which recommends a sentence of eight years and nine months.

The defendant has a long criminal history with more than adult 51 arrests (charged and

uncharged criminal conduct). His criminal history includes receiving stolen property, possession of a controlled substance, four alcohol related driving offenses. His suspended driving license because of his alcohol offenses did not stop the defendant from getting behind the wheel. He simply drove in defiance of the law that told him he could not drive.

Despite his numerous arrests, he has spent very  little time reflecting upon the errors of his unlawful ways. 

On his first adult conviction, he received a SIS and given 5 years’ probation. His next serious offense was possession of a controlled substance whereupon he received 3 years but was paroled after serving 1 year Even after being paroled, he could not comply with the court’s directives and was returned to custody for a few months. His criminal history is an awful display of someone that received numerous breaks and did absolutely nothing with those breaks but commit new crimes. 

His history shows that he is a danger to the community that is only deterred by incarceration and only incarceration will protect the community from his criminal activity. 

Askew's crime is detailed in the memorandum:

On June 18, 2019 at approximately 9:16 a.m., Crawford County, Kansas Sheriff Office William Tomasi was running radar when a white Chevy truck driven by William F. Askew was clocked doing 51 m.p.h. in 40 m.p.h. speed zone. 

Earlier, Pittsburg, Kansas Police Department reported that a white Chevy truck was reported stolen and Askew vehicle matched that description. 

Tomasi pulled behind Askew’s vehicle and attempted to initiate a stop. Askew refused to stop and sped through Kansas into Jasper County, Missouri. Tomasi contacted Jasper County, Sheriff Office to assist with the pursuit of Askew. 

While in the truck, Askew reached speeds of 95 m.p.h. The pursuit of Askew continued down County Road 300, Jasper County, Missouri. The road dead ended and Askew attempted to escape on foot.

Askew ran into a grassy field and ducked down. Armed officers yelled at Askew to walk

toward them. However, Askew continued to hide himself in the tall grass. 

After repeated attempts for Askew to come toward law enforcement officer failed, the K-9 Holli was released. The capture of Askew was recorded on several body cameras worn by Jasper County Sheriff Officers. 

Tomasi and Jasper County Sheriff Deputy George Datum inventoried Askew’s stolen truck. They found a 12-gauge shotgun in the bed of the truck. The shotgun had a spent 12-gauge round in it. Inside the truck cab, officers found 1 unspent 12-gauge round on the passenger floorboard and two live rounds of .22 caliber ammunition on the driver’s seat.