William David Hardin, Jr., Felon in Possession, Alabama 2016

Demopolis, AL – In a devastating blow to gun violence, William David Hardin, Jr., 48, was sentenced to 24 months of imprisonment for being a felon in possession of a firearm in the Southern District of Alabama.

Senior U.S. District Judge Callie V. S. Granade handed down the sentence on [Date], ordering Hardin to undergo three years of supervised release upon completing his term of imprisonment. The court also mandated that Hardin receive treatment for mental health and substance abuse, as well as pay a $100 mandatory special assessment.

This conviction stems from a series of transactions orchestrated by Demopolis Police Department investigators in August and September 2016. On August 24, investigators arranged for the purchase of stolen property and marijuana from Hardin, during which he offered to sell a stolen .22-caliber revolver.

A second transaction took place on September 6, 2016, where investigators purchased a Rough Rider .22-caliber revolver from Hardin. Subsequent to this, a state search warrant was executed at Hardin’s residence, revealing a box of Winchester .22-caliber ammunition and a loaded .223-caliber magazine within.

Further investigation led investigators to the apartment of B.W., where they discovered a Ruger 9mm pistol. B.W. surrendered the pistol, stating that Hardin had given it to him to sell on his behalf.

Hardin, a convicted felon, is prohibited by federal law from knowingly possessing a firearm. His prior conviction for forgery in the second degree in the Circuit Court of Marengo County, Alabama, on October 30, 1995, serves as the basis for this charge.

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). Hardin subsequently pleaded guilty to count two of the indictment on November 21, 2016.

The case was investigated by the Demopolis Police Department, with Assistant United States Attorney Gregory Bordenkircher leading the prosecution.

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