Michael P. Drescher Acting United States Attorney for the District of Vermont | U.S. Attorney for the District of Vermont
Shane Hardy, a resident of St. Albans, Vermont, has been sentenced to 42 months in prison for unlawful possession of stolen firearms. The sentencing took place on June 20, 2025, and was handed down by United States District Judge Geoffrey W. Crawford. Following his imprisonment, Hardy will undergo a two-year period of supervised release.
Court documents reveal that Hardy has a significant criminal background, including a manslaughter conviction in New York State that led to over ten years of incarceration. Despite being aware of the legal prohibition against him possessing firearms, Hardy acquired four stolen guns as payment for a drug debt and cocaine in October 2023. He then transported these firearms using an SUV with New Jersey license plates.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives played a key role in investigating this case. Acting United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher praised their efforts.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Arra prosecuted the case, while Emily Kenyon and Barclay Johnson from the Office of the Federal Public Defender represented Hardy.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence by fostering trust within communities and supporting preventive community-based organizations. The initiative was strengthened on May 26, 2021, with a focus on strategic enforcement priorities and result measurement. More information about PSN can be found at Justice.gov/PSN.
