Alonzo Dewayne Harden, a 31-year-old resident of Huntington, West Virginia, received a sentence of four years and nine months in prison for the federal offense of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Following his prison term, Harden will undergo three years of supervised release.
The incident leading to this conviction occurred on May 17, 2024. During a traffic stop in Huntington, Harden attempted to flee on foot after exiting the vehicle he was traveling in as a passenger. In the process of fleeing, he discarded a loaded Glock Model 22 .40-caliber pistol with an extended magazine. Law enforcement officers recovered the firearm shortly thereafter.
Federal law prohibits individuals with prior felony convictions from possessing firearms or ammunition. Harden was aware of this restriction due to his previous felony convictions for malicious assault and using or presenting a firearm during the commission of a felony in Cabell County Circuit Court on August 26, 2021.
United States Attorney Will Thompson announced the sentencing and praised the investigative efforts by several agencies: the Huntington Police Department, the Huntington Violent Crime Drug Task Force, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
The sentence was imposed by United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Courtney L. Finney.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement at all levels and community organizations. The initiative focuses on fostering trust within communities and supporting programs that prevent violence before it occurs.
Further details about this case can be accessed via PACER under Case No. 3:24-cr-116 or through the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia.