Grand Jury Returns Superseding Indictment Against Defendant In Shooting Of DEA Task Force Officer

NEW ORLEANS - Drug Enforcement (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Stephen G. Azzam and U. S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Jarvis Hardy, 28, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was charged in a nine-count superseding indictment by a Federal Grand Jury for conspiracy to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine (“crack”); four counts of distribution of quantities of cocaine (“crack”); attempted murder of a federal law enforcement officer; discharging one firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and a drug trafficking crime; possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine (“crack”); and possessing a second firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to court documents, on January 26, 2016, DEA agents and task force officers executed a search warrant for 5300 Douglas Street and an arrest warrant for Hardy. During the execution of the warrants, DEA Task Force Officer Stephen C. Arnold was shot multiple times by Hardy. Following the shooting, investigating agents recovered two firearms from Hardy’s residence, as well as amounts of cocaine (“crack”) and paraphernalia associated with drug trafficking. The execution of the warrants followed an extended investigation of Hardy by the DEA that included multiple undercover purchases of cocaine (“crack”) from Hardy.

If convicted, Hardy faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years up to life, a fine of $10,000,000, and at least five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment as to the cocaine (“crack”) conspiracy in Count One; a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, a fine of $1,000,000 and at least three years of supervised release as to the distributions of cocaine (“crack”) in Counts Two through Five; a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, a fine of $250,000.00 and five years of supervised release as to the attempted murder in Count Six; for the firearm charges in Counts Seven and Nine, a consecutive minimum term of imprisonment of five years up to life imprisonment for one firearm count and a consecutive minimum term of imprisonment of 25 years to life imprisonment for the second firearm count; and a mandatory term of at least five years up to 40 years, a potential fine of $5,000,000, and at least four years of supervised release for the possession with intent to distribute cocaine (“crack”) in Count Eight.

The case was investigated by DEA and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New Orleans Police Department, and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Parents and children are encouraged to educate themselves about the dangers of drugs by visiting DEA’s interactive websites at www.JustThinkTwice.com, www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com and www.dea.gov.