Vernon Pernell Hedrick, A Repeat Felon Sentenced to 30 Months on Firearms Charge

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Defendant Carried a Military-Grade Semi-Automatic When Police Stopped Him for Questioning

            WASHINGTON – Vernon Pernell Hedrick, a four-time convicted felon, was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for carrying a Springfield Armory model 1911 semi-automatic handgun, one of the most powerful handguns on the market, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            Hedrick, 33, pleaded guilty April 6, 2023, to unlawful possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. In addition to the 30 month prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Rudolph Contreras ordered Hendrick to serve 36 months of supervised release.

            According to court documents, Hedrick was on active supervised release when police attempted to question him on October 15, 2022, at a supermarket parking lot on the 1500 block of Alabama Ave., Southeast. Officers noticed an L-shaped protrusion from an object tucked in Hendrick’s black satchel. Hedrick became wide-eyed, wiped sweat from his forehead, then tore off in a sprint. Police chased after Hendrick on foot and caught him in 20 seconds. Inside the satchel was the semi-automatic military-grade handgun loaded with nine rounds. Also in the satchel were two additional magazines with another 13 rounds of .45 caliber ammunition. Hedrick told officers he kept the gun for “protection.”

            On Oct. 17, 2022, Hedrick was indicted on a charge of felon in possession. On April 6, 2023, Hedrick pleaded guilty to the sole count in the indictment.

            Hedrick’s record includes two 2018 convictions in the District for assault with significant bodily injury; a 2012 conviction in Maryland for conspiracy to commit carjacking, and a 2011 District conviction for robbery. A Superior Court jury acquitted Hendrick in 2018 on a first degree murder charge.

            This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jared English, Emory V. Cole, and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Connor Mullin.