Woburn Man Charged with Being a Felon in Possession of Firearm
BOSTON – A Woburn man was indicted today in federal court in Boston for being a felon 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 Jan. 18, 2019, Hardy was charged by criminal complaint and arrested.
According to charging documents, on Nov. 14, 2018, a police officer conducted a vehicle stop after observing the driver committing multiple traffic violations. After identifying the driver as Hardy, the officer was informed over the radio that there was an active warrant for Hardy’s 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. During 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.
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