ST. LOUIS, MO  (June 12, 2026) — Charl Howard, 52, was sentenced Friday to 10 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections after a jury found him 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 punched him in the face, continuing the assault 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.

"Vulnerable people should not have to live in fear of being targeted for violence. Our office is committed to protecting victims, holding offenders accountable, and ensuring that those who prey on others face consequences for their actions,” 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.

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

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