SIOUX CITY – A convicted felon from Northern Iowa found in possession of a stolen gun entered a guilty plea in federal court and may go to prison for a long time.
Joseph Isiah Hardy, Sr. (pictured above), age 37, from Humboldt, Iowa, was convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person on November 28, 2023, in federal court in Sioux City.
In a plea agreement, Hardy admitted that he knowingly possessed a firearm even though he had been previously convicted of a felony punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year and that he knew he had been previously convicted of that felony. Hardy further admitted the gun was stolen.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Hardy remains in custody of the United States Marshal, pending sentencing. Hardy faces the following maximum penalties: (1) not more than 15 years’ imprisonment without the possibility of parole; (2) a fine of not more than $250,000; (3) a mandatory special assessment of $100; and (4) a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years.
The case was investigated by Humboldt Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kraig R. Hamit.
