Vasily Hardy, Felon in Possession of Firearm, Massachusetts 2019

A Woburn man has been charged with a serious crime after being found in possession of a firearm. Vasily Hardy, 28, was indicted on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

On January 18, 2019, Hardy was charged by criminal complaint and arrested. This incident took place after a police officer conducted a vehicle stop due to multiple traffic violations. Upon identifying the driver as Hardy, the officer was informed of an active warrant for his arrest.

Hardy was subsequently arrested and his vehicle was searched. During the search, the officer recovered a Sig Sauer, semi-automatic pistol loaded with an eight-round magazine of .45 caliber ammunition as well as a second eight-round magazine. In an interview with law enforcement, Hardy confirmed that the handgun belonged to him and that he did not have a license to carry a firearm in Massachusetts.

Further investigation revealed that Hardy was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition due to previous convictions, including assault and battery in 2012 and larceny from a person in 2013, which are each punishable by more than a year in jail.

The charging statute provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Kelly Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Wellesley Police Department, Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office, and the Hillsborough County Attorney’s Office in New Hampshire. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen W. Hassink of Lelling’s Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Vasily Hardy is currently facing a serious charge. The indictment alleges that he was a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. He will have to face the consequences of his actions in a federal court.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/woburn-man-charged-being-felon-possession-firearm