Plea Expected For Canton Police Lieutenant Facing Multiple Felony Gun Charges

The preliminary exam scheduled Tuesday for Lt. Jerry Hardesty was delayed to give Hardesty and his defense attorney, John Freeman, time to prepare for a possible plea deal, according to reports.

An article in the Canton Observer states that new information was given to the defense Tuesday, and that Hardesty and Freeman wanted time to go over the information and prepare.

Attorneys for both sides told Judge Mike Gerou Tuesday that they expect a plea deal to be reached; if it isn’t, Hardesty will likely waive his right to a preliminary exam in 35th District Court, according to the article.

Hardesty, 55, faces charges of larceny of a firearm, which carries a maximum two year sentence; receiving/concealing stolen property, a 10 year sentence and $5,000 fine and felony firearm, a five year sentence and $2,500 fine.

Canton Public Safety Director Todd Mutchler said his office was made aware in February of a missing long gun, not a pistol, belonging to the department. The Michigan State Police Special Investigation Section launched a criminal investigation in March, during which Hardesty, an Canton police officer, became a suspect.