It continues to happen with regularity — a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm. The law says that a person, male or female, who has previously been convicted of a felony, cannot possess or own a firearm of any kind. It is permanent unless the person receives a pardon or the conviction is overturned.
Yet, time and again, we see people being charged with violating this law — a violation which is a felony.
Another example occurred recently in Stone County on Sept. 28. The court documents note Stone County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to Younger Access Road to support Arkansas Game & Fish Officer Chad Cruce. When Stone County investigators arrived, Officer Cruce was talking with 41-year-old Joshua Hatley about shooting a deer and how Cruce previously observed Hatley exit his vehicle that was stuck in the mud with a rifle in hand.
Hatley was heard telling the authorities he, “…did not shoot a deer, and that it was only a hog he shot at.” Hatley also stated the rifle was in the truck that was stuck. After a computer check, it was confirmed Hatley was a convicted felon.
The officers retrieved the rifle from the truck along with multiple caliber rounds of ammunition that were located throughout the vehicle.
A search of the large field where Hatley said he shot at the hog was made with the assistance of the Arkansas Game & Fish tracking K-9. The officers said no sign of an animal could be located.
Hatley was arrested and booked into the Stone County Jail on possession of a firearm by a certain person.
His bond was set at $5,000.
Joshua Hatley / Image via Stone County Sheriff’s Office
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