NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A federal jury convicted a Suffolk man yesterday on charges of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, MDMA, cocaine, psilocyn, and marijuana.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, on Aug. 17, 2025, a Virginia State Police (VSP) trooper observed Lewis Roy Hardy, 40, speeding and weaving in traffic on Route 164 in Portsmouth and suspected Hardy was driving while intoxicated. The trooper activated his emergency equipment to conduct a traffic stop, but Hardy continued driving for nearly two minutes before eventually coming to a stop halfway between the left lane and the shoulder of the highway. Hardy failed a number of field sobriety tests and was placed under arrest.
During an inventory of Hardy’s vehicle, law enforcement located distribution quantities of cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, MDMA (ecstasy), and psilocyn (psychedelic mushrooms), as well as a loaded handgun with an extended magazine, an additional magazine, and a digital scale. As a previously convicted felon, Hardy cannot legally possess firearms or ammunition.
Hardy faces a mandatory minimum of 35 years and up to life in prison when sentenced on Dec. 15. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Theophani K. Stamos, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Shane Todd, Acting Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Division, made the announcement after the verdict was accepted by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth W. Hanes. VSP and the Portsmouth Police Department assisted in the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric M. Hurt and Alyson C. Yates are prosecuting the case.
Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:26-cr-23.