Felon Convicted of Possessing Firearm and Controlled Substances
On November 6, 2023, agents with the 26 Judicial District Drug Task Force executed search warrants at Big Burger, a business located at 284 Airways Boulevard, Jackson, Tennessee, and the residence of Jamar Hardiman, Wellington Cove, also in Jackson. Hardiman and his wife were the owners of the Big Burger. The search warrants pertained to an investigation into narcotics being smuggled into the Gibson County Jail that were intended for an inmate charged with First-Degree Murder. Specifically, agents were looking for a stamp kit, a stamp labeled “confidential,” a receipt from Office Max, and shreds from an altered court transcript. Agents suspected that these items were used to disguise incoming mail to the inmate as “confidential” mail from an attorney, which, by law, cannot be inspected by jail personnel.
The search at the Big Burger location yielded two (2) sets of digital scales and approximately 112 grams of marijuana. During the search of Hardiman’s residence, agents observed a small amount of marijuana in the carport along with multiple ripped grocery baggies and a set of digital scales, all of which is consistent with the packaging and distribution of narcotics. In the same area of the carport, agents located a Drako AK-47-style pistol along with a loaded clip.
In a master bedroom closet, agents found a loaded 22/45 Ruger handgun in a shoebox. In the same shoebox, agents retrieved a wallet containing credit cards and a Social Security card in Jamar Hardiman’s name. Two boxes of ammunition of the same caliber as the Drako AK-47 were also found in a master bedroom closet.
Finally, during the search of the master bedroom, agents discovered a hidden gun safe disguised as a shelf. The gun safe contained a Springfield Armory 1911 45 caliber handgun along with two loaded magazines containing twenty-five (25) rounds.
Jamar Hardiman is prohibited from possessing firearms due to his status as a convicted felon.
Hardiman was convicted in 1996 in Madison County, Tennessee, of Aggravated Assault (2 counts), Felony Evading Arrest, Theft over $10,000, and Vandalism over $1000. Hardiman also has a 2007 felony conviction in Dickson County, Tennessee, for Possession of over 10 pounds but less than 70 pounds of Marijuana with the Intent to Sell/Deliver.
A trial of the matter was scheduled for January 28, 2025, but the defendant failed to appear and a capias, or bench warrant, was issued for his arrest. On or about July 30, 2025, Hardiman was found hiding in the attic of a residence in Jackson and was taken into custody.
On January 20, 2026, Hardiman pled guilty to being a Convicted Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Sell/Deliver, and Failure to Appear. The trial court sentenced him to twelve (12) years for the weapons and drug offenses, of which he must serve at least 85% before becoming eligible for parole. The court also sentenced him to 11 months, 29 days in the Madison County Jail for failing to appear for the initial trial setting, and that sentence must be served consecutively to the weapons and drug charges as a matter of law. The total effective sentence is approximately thirteen (13) years to serve.
“I will continue to say it: felons and guns do not mix,” said District Attorney General Jody Pickens.
“Hardiman had every opportunity to lead a productive, law-abiding life but he refused to do so. Fast money is not easy money as he has found out. As a result of his decisions, he will spend the better part of 13 years locked away. It would have been better for all involved if he had made other choices, but he did not.”
“I am very proud of the work of Assistant District Attorney General Justin Prescott who prosecuted the case, as well as the agents of the 26 Judicial District Drug Task Force with particular appreciation for the work of Special Agents Zach Cobb and Mark Taylor who had primary responsibility for the investigation.”
