Brooklyn, New York Man Charged with Firearms Possession

Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont announced that Shane Hardy, 45, of Brooklyn, New York, was arraigned today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle after a federal grand jury returned an indictment, on December 21, 2023, charging Hardy with being a felon in possession of firearms. Judge Doyle ordered that Hardy be detained during the pendency of this matter.

According to court records, Hardy possessed six firearms, including AR-15- and AK-47-type weapons after having been convicted of numerous felonies in New York, including manslaughter. Hardy allegedly paid for the six firearms through a combination of drugs and discharging drug debts.

The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that an indictment contains allegations only and that Hardy is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Hardy faces up to fifteen years or life in prison if convicted. The actual sentence would be determined by the Court with guidance from the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and the statutory sentencing factors.

United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the investigatory efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department, with assistance by the St. Albans Police Department in making the arrest.

The prosecutor is Assistant United States Attorney Colin Owyang. Hardy is represented by the Office of the Federal Public Defender.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.