A man from Wynne, Arkansas, has been sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for possessing firearms despite being prohibited from doing so due to a dishonorable discharge from the U.S. Navy. The sentence was announced by Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, and handed down by United States District Court Judge Lee P. Rudofsky.
James Charles Hart, 26, was arrested on December 7, 2023, and later charged with possession of a firearm by a dishonorably discharged person. He pleaded guilty to this charge on January 6, 2025.
Judge Rudofsky also imposed three years of supervised release following Hart’s prison term. Federal sentences do not include parole.
Hart’s discharge from the Navy occurred on August 26, 2021, after convictions related to advocating extremist ideologies and selling firearms without a license. His actions included promoting violence against military members and encouraging recruitment for such causes.
An FBI investigation revealed that Hart had entered a residential area armed with an AR pattern firearm and claimed he was “patrolling” for looters. Despite his claims of protection, residents did not request his presence.
Upon his arrest in December 2023, authorities found a firearm linked to Hart while he was in another person’s car. A subsequent search uncovered a total of 20 firearms at his residence and in his vehicle. These included various handguns, rifles, shotguns, NFA weapons, ammunition, tactical gear, and other items.
Further examination of Hart’s phone unveiled plans for a robbery conspiracy involving him and militia members targeting Tennessee locations.
The case was investigated by the FBI with help from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Crews.
