FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Oct. 20, 2011
CHARLESTON MAN SENTENCED TO TWELVE YEARS IN PRISON ON FEDERAL CRACK COCAINE CHARGE
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Michael Hardy, 29, of Charleston, was sentenced today to 12 years in prison by United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston on two counts of aiding and abetting the distribution of five grams or more of crack cocaine. Hardy was convicted following a jury trial in November 2010. On December 2, 2009, the defendant provided an associate with a quantity of crack cocaine and drove him to a Hardee’s restaurant located in Charleston to complete a prearranged drug transaction with a confidential informant working with the Metro Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT). It was revealed that the defendant’s associate sold 22.1 grams of crack to the informant in exchange for $1200. Following the drug transaction, the associate provided the defendant with the majority of the $1200 in drug proceeds.
Also, on December 11, 2009, Hardy provided an associate with a quantity of crack cocaine and instructed him to complete the prearranged drug transaction. In addition, Hardy’s associate traveled to a Charleston convenience store and sold 20.4 grams of crack to an informant in exchange for $1200 in prerecorded buy money.
This case was investigated by the Metro Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT). Assistant United States Attorney Monica Dillon handled the prosecution.
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