Crawford: Repeat Offender Gets 6.5 Years for Gun & Cocaine

ST. LOUIS – Edward A. Crawford, 43, is headed back to prison for 78 months after a federal judge slammed him with a lengthy sentence Tuesday for repeatedly flouting the law and endangering the public. Crawford, already a convicted felon, was caught with firearms not once, but twice, while under court supervision. The latest bust also uncovered a stash of crack cocaine, cementing his status as a habitual offender.

The initial incident unfolded on May 28, 2022, when St. Louis Metropolitan Police officers spotted a Nissan Maxima with mismatched plates – no front plate and a rear plate registered to a truck. When officers attempted a traffic stop, Crawford floored it, leading police on a reckless chase through city streets. He blew through traffic signals, forced other drivers to swerve to avoid collision, and even slammed into another vehicle before finally fleeing on foot after exiting Interstate 70 at Adelaide Avenue. Detectives quickly apprehended him and discovered a loaded .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol. Crawford admitted to attempting to ditch the weapon on the interstate, managing only to discard the magazine.

Despite being indicted on a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm, Crawford was back in trouble just months later. On August 17, 2023, Deputy U.S. Marshals located him at a residence in the 3400 block of Montana Street. This time, the search revealed a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol and four individually wrapped baggies containing a total of 25.95 grams of cocaine base. To add insult to injury, Crawford was already on supervised release stemming from a 2018 conviction for – you guessed it – being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Crawford pleaded guilty in March to the latest charges, facing the consequences of his continued disregard for the law. U.S. District Judge Catherine D. Perry didn’t mince words, handing down the 78-month sentence, sending a clear message that repeat offenders will be held accountable. This isn’t just about guns and drugs; it’s about a pattern of behavior that puts the community at risk.

The investigation was a joint effort by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Christian Goeke skillfully prosecuted the case, securing the conviction and lengthy sentence. This case falls under the umbrella of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a comprehensive program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering collaboration between law enforcement and local communities.

PSN, recently strengthened by a Department-wide strategy launched in May 2021, focuses on building trust, supporting community organizations, prioritizing strategic enforcement, and meticulously measuring results. While programs like PSN are essential, the Crawford case underscores the urgent need to address the root causes of crime and provide effective rehabilitation programs – a tall order in a city grappling with systemic issues. But for now, Crawford is off the streets, and St. Louis is a little bit safer.