Federal Jury Convicts Burnet County Man of Firearms and Drug Trafficking Charges

In Austin last night, a jury convicted 44-year-old Bertram, TX, resident Jimmy Don Hardin of federal firearms and drug trafficking charges announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr. and Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw.

At the conclusion of a four-day trial, jurors convicted Hardin of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, possession of a stolen firearm and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.  Evidence presented during trial revealed that from May 2013 to December 2013, Hardin conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine throughout Burnet, Llano, Lampasas, Travis and Williamson counties.  Authorities arrested Hardin on December 4, 2013, during the execution of a search warrant at his residence.  At the time, Hardin was in possession of a stolen .45 caliber pistol as well as nine other firearms.  Hardin’s criminal history revealed multiple convictions for manufacture of methamphetamine in Burnet County, TX.

Hardin remains in federal custody pending sentencing scheduled for April 23, 2015, before U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel.  He faces between ten years and life in federal prison.  Two co-defendants--57-year-old Guillermo Naranjo Reyna, an illegal alien residing in Austin, and 60–year-old Nebes Montemayor of Austin--pleaded guilty to the drug conspiracy charge prior to trial.  Reyna and Montemayor remain in federal custody pending sentencing scheduled for March 10, 2015, before Judge Yeakel.  Reyna and Montemayor also face between ten years and life in federal prison.

This case was investigated by the Texas Department of Public Safety, Burnet County Sheriff’s Office, Burnet County District Attorney’s Office, Llano County Sheriff’s Office, Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office, Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, Austin Police Department, and the Cedar Park Police Department together with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).  Assistant United States Attorneys Doug Gardner and Matt Harding are prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.