Lafayette Felon Hack Gets 26 Months for Gun Possession

LAFAYETTE, La. – Another thug with a rap sheet is off the streets. Austin Hack, 24, of Lafayette, Louisiana, was sentenced to 26 months in federal prison today, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Michael J. Juneau, a consequence of a case that started with a routine arrest and spiraled into a firearms violation.

The trouble began back on January 25, 2019, when officers with the Lafayette Police Department moved to arrest Hack on unrelated outstanding warrants. He attempted to evade capture, parking a silver Mercedes Benz at a residence on Sonny Street. A standoff ensued, but Hack eventually complied. A subsequent search of the vehicle proved damning. Inside, law enforcement discovered a loaded revolver – five rounds in the chamber, plus twenty more in reserve. Hack readily admitted the firearm was his, and that he’d acquired it through illicit means – a street purchase, bypassing any legal channels.

This wasn’t Hack’s first brush with the law. He was already a convicted felon, making any possession of a firearm or ammunition a clear violation of federal law. His previous conviction, dating back to 2018, was for – ironically – illegal possession of a stolen firearm. The system failed to keep this guy from re-offending, and now he’s paying the price. Hack was indicted by a federal grand jury on November 18, 2020, and ultimately pleaded guilty on April 6, 2021, acknowledging his wrongdoing.

The investigation was a joint effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Lafayette Police Department, demonstrating a coordinated response to gun crime in the area. Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Nickel spearheaded the prosecution, building a solid case against Hack and securing the conviction. It’s a win for law enforcement, but the question remains: how many more like him are still out there?

This case falls under the umbrella of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal program aimed at reducing violent crime by fostering collaboration between all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve. PSN represents a renewed commitment from the Department of Justice to target violent criminals and implement effective, locally-tailored strategies. You can learn more about PSN at www.justice.gov/psn.

Hack’s 26-month sentence sends a message, though whether it’s enough to deter others remains to be seen. The Grimy Times will continue to track this case and report on the ongoing fight against gun violence in Louisiana and beyond. # # #