Defendant Sentenced to 2 Years for Being a Felon in Possession

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announces today that William David Hardin, Jr., 48, was sentenced today to twenty-four months of imprisonment by Senior U.S. District Judge Callie V. S. Granade for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  The judge ordered that Hardin undergo three years of supervised release upon completing his term of imprisonment, receive treatment for mental health and substance abuse, and pay a $100 mandatory special assessment.      

On August 24, 2016, Demopolis Police Department investigators arranged for the purchase of stolen property and marijuana from Hardin.  During the transaction, Hardin offered to sell a stolen .22-caliber revolver.  On September 6, 2016, investigators arranged for the purchase of a Rough Rider .22-caliber revolver from Hardin.  Investigators later executed a state search warrant at Hardin’s home and found inside a box of Winchester .22-caliber ammunition and a loaded .223-caliber magazine.  Moreover, on September 6 investigators visited the apartment of B.W. after receiving information that he was holding a Ruger 9mm pistol to sell for Hardin.  When confronted by investigators, B.W. surrendered the pistol and said that Hardin gave it to B.W. to sell on Hardin’s behalf.

Hardin is a convicted felon who is prohibited by federal law from knowingly possessing a firearm.   On October 30, 1995, Hardin was convicted of forgery in the second degree in the Circuit Court of Marengo County, Alabama. 

In September 2016, a federal grand jury for the Southern District of Alabama indicted Hardin on two counts of being a felon in possession in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1).  On November 21, 2016, Hardin pleaded guilty to count two of the indictment. 

The case was investigated by the Demopolis Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Gregory Bordenkircher.