ST. LOUIS, MO  (May 6, 2026) — A St. Louis jury found Charl Howard, 52, guilty of second-degree assault – special victim for a March 2025 attack in the City’s Downtown neighborhood that left a 64-year-old man with serious facial injuries.

On March 6, 2025, officers responded to the 900 block of Olive Street in the City’s Downtown neighborhood for an assault. They found the male victim bleeding from the face near the Mark Twain Hotel Apartments. The victim told officers that Howard approached him, greeted him, and then repeatedly punched him in the face, continuing after the victim fell to the ground. The victim suffered serious injuries and required multiple surgeries.

Two witnesses identified Howard as the attacker. One witness observed the assault and provided investigators with a still photograph. A second witness saw Howard at the scene immediately after the attack. The victim also identified Howard.

“Downtown St. Louis is where people live, work, and do business, and they deserve to feel safe there. Our prosecution of this case demonstrates our commitment to protecting the safety of everyone who uses these public spaces,” said Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore.

Howard has prior convictions in Texas for burglary and obstruction or retaliation. Based on his criminal history, the jury found Howard to be a persistent offender. He faces up to 30 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for June 12, 2026.

Assistant Circuit Attorney Dominic Cusumano, Payton DeaVault, and Violent Crime Unit Supervisor Adam Field prosecuted the case.

The defendant’s case number is 2522-CR00858-01.