Drunk felon who fired weapon from stolen car in Carl Junction sentenced to seven years

It wasn't quite the break William F. Askew wanted, but the Pittsburg, Kansas felon was sentenced to seven years in a federal prison following a 22-minute hearing this morning in U S. District Court in Springfield.

The U. S. Attorney had recommended a nine-year sentenced for Askew, 39, 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 June 18, 2019. 

Askew was charged with being a felon unlawfully possessing and transporting a firearm.

Assistant U. S. Attorney Abram McGull II asked for the longer sentence in a memorandum citing Askew's 51 arrests since he became an adult and his inability to learn from any of them.

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.

Askew's crime is detailed in the sentencing 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.