Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Felon who sold guns to undercover officer gets 7 years

A 31-year-old convicted felon who sold a shotgun and two rifles to an undercover Metro Police officer in April 2009 was sentenced today to seven years in federal prison.

Thomas James Hazel of Las Vegas pleaded guilty to felon in possession of a firearm on March 29. U.S. District Judge Gloria Navarro sentenced him to 84 months in prison and three years of supervised release.

Hazel was arrested after he met with an undercover detective in a parking lot near the corner of Durango Drive and Charleston Boulevard on April 23, 2009. The officer purchased two rifles and a shotgun from him for $1,800 in cash, U.S. attorney for Nevada Daniel Bogden said.

Detectives began investigating Hazel a year ago based on information that he was unlawfully possessing and selling firearms. Hazel has several prior felony convictions and is forbidden by federal and state law from possessing firearms or ammunition, officials said.

Hazel was convicted in Nevada for battery with use of a deadly weapon, possession of a controlled substance and possession of a firearm by an ex-felon. He was also convicted in Mesa County, Colo., for menacing with a weapon, theft and providing false information to a pawnbroker, authorities said.

After obtaining a search warrant, officers went through Hazel’s home and found a loaded semi-automatic pistol with a removed serial number.

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