Texas Man Sentenced for Heroin and Firearms Offenses and Firearms Violations

NEW ORLEANS –  U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced Wednesday, November 14, 2018 that United States District Judge Martin L.C. Feldman sentenced KALIQUE HARDIN, age 21, of Dallas, Texas, to a sixty-month and one-day term of imprisonment. 

HARDIN pleaded guilty to three counts of an indictment charging him with, respectively, conspiracy to distribute heroin; possession of heroin with intent to distribute; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.  HARDIN was arrested by Louisiana State Police troopers on February 8, 2016, Lundi Gras, in a vehicle parked in a lot in the 1000 block of Bienville Street, along with Lilbear George, Sidney LeBanks, and Basin Wells.  HARDIN was sitting on a Ruger 9mm pistol with an extended magazine containing 24 live rounds. Troopers also discovered other guns, heroin, and about $11,000 in cash in the car.  George and LeBanks are awaiting trial in this case, presently scheduled for February 2019.

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Louisiana State Police in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Michael E. McMahon was in charge of the prosecution.

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