New Orleans Man Indicted for Federal Gun and Drug Charges

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DWINE HARDY (“HARDY”), age 32, a resident of New Orleans, was charged by a federal grand jury in a three-count indictment.  Count One charges him with being a felon in possession of firearm and ammunition, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8). Count Two charges him with possession of a machinegun, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(o) and 924(a)(2). Count Three charges him with possession with the intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C). Count Four charges him with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i). 

If convicted, HARDY faces up to 15 years of imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to 3 years of supervised release for Count One; up to 10 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to 3 years of supervised release for Count Two; up to 20 years of imprisonment, up to a $1,000,000 fine, and at least 3 years of supervised release for Count Three, and a  mandatory minimum 5-year term up to life  imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to 5 years of supervised release for Count Four. As to all four counts, HARDY also faces payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. 

According to court documents, on December 23, 2023, Kenner police officers arrested HARDY for being a felon in possession of 15 rounds of .40 caliber ammunition and a stolen Glock Model 23, .40 caliber pistol equipped with a machinegun conversion device and an extended twenty-two round capacity magazine.  HARDY was also charged with possession with the intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride and possessing the above-described firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. 

The case was investigated by the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Kenner Police Department.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Troy Bell of the Violent Crimes Unit.