YOUNGSTOWN Judge increases bond for weapons suspect

Howell was arrested after a traffic stop.
YOUNGSTOWN -- A municipal court judge added $20,000 to the $6,000 bond for Zachary T. Howell.
Howell, 25, of Lincoln Park Drive, appeared Monday before Judge Robert A. Douglas Jr. on felony charges of carrying a concealed weapon and illegal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. He is being held in Mahoning County jail.
Howell was arraigned Thursday on charges of drug abuse, driving under suspension, no seat belt and failing to use a turn signal.
Howell was arrested Wednesday night after a traffic stop. Officers found a handgun, suspected marijuana, money and jewelry in the 2002 Cadillac he drove.
He faces a court hearing Friday on the charges.
Howell is expected to also be served with probation violation charges through municipal court. At the time of his arrest, he was serving a three-year probation on convictions for improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle and a third loud music in a motor vehicle violation.
As part of the probation, he was ordered to pay a $600 fine but never did, officials said. He also did not report to a probation officer.
Howell appeared Friday before Judge James C. Evans of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court on a separate probation violation charge in that court. Evans had sentenced Howell to two year's probation on a concealed weapons charge earlier this year. He now faces an Oct. 11 hearing in that matter.