LITTLE ROCK-Aaron Hatfield will spend the next 168 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of firearms. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down today, by United States District Judge Brian S. Miller.

On August 5, 2025, a federal grand jury returned a six-count Indictment charging Hatfield, 46, of England, with one count of being a felon in possession of firearms, two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and one count of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Hatfield's co-defendant, Terry Wright, 36, also of England, was charged with two counts of trafficking firearms. Wright pleaded guilty on April 28, 2026, to one count of trafficking firearms. On August 27, 2026, Judge Miller sentenced Wright to serve five years in federal prison followed by three years' supervised release.

Hatfield pleaded guilty on April 1, 2026, to being a felon in possession of firearms and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. In addition to the 168-month sentence, Judge Miller also sentenced Hatfield to three years' supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

Upon learning Wright was selling firearms to known felons in December 2024, law enforcement officials opened an investigation. While conducting a review of Wright's cell phone, investigators determined Wright sold at least two guns to Hatfield, a convicted felon. Investigators reviewed text messages between Wright and Hatfield that indicated drug use and distribution of drugs. After obtaining a search warrant, investigators searched Hatfield's residence on February 13, 2025. During a search of Hatfield's residence, investigators located 19 grams of methamphetamine and three firearms, a Walther, model PK380, .380 caliber firearm; a Norinco, model SKS 7.62x39 rifle; and, an American Tactical, model Mil-Sport, multi-caliber rifle. After being advised of his Miranda rights, Hatfield admitted to investigators that he sold drugs to Wright and that he purchased guns from Wright.

Because Hatfield has at least three prior convictions for a violent felony or serious drug offense, he is classified as a career offender. Hatfield's criminal history includes felony convictions for commercial burglary and theft of property, possession of drug paraphernalia, manufacture of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to manufacture methamphetamine, use or possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to manufacture methamphetamine or cocaine, possession of ephedrine with intent to manufacture methamphetamine, and possession of ephedrine.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice's nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys' offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department's commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump's Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the England Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bart Dickinson.

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Additional information about the office of the

United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at

https://www.justice.gov/edar

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