Felon Faces 33 Charges After Tampa Domestic Violence Incident

Marcello Hardrick, 45, faces more than 30 charges following a domestic violence incident that led to the discovery of nine firearms and narcotics. Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a shots-fired call at 4:31 a.m. on September 18 in the 6200 block of North 44th Street in Tampa.

Upon arrival, deputies encountered Hardrick and learned a victim had been battered. Hardrick then allegedly fired multiple shots from a pistol in the front yard of the residence. No one was injured, and no property was damaged.

A search warrant executed at the home revealed nine firearms and a quantity of narcotics, including methamphetamine, cocaine and prescription medication. Hardrick, who has eleven prior felony convictions, was initially charged with simple battery (domestic violence), felon in possession of a firearm/ammunition, discharging a firearm in public or on residential property, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and use of a firearm while intoxicated.

Detectives subsequently added 33 offenses, including seven counts of felon in possession of a firearm, one count of felon in possession of ammunition, one count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, armed trafficking in cocaine (28 to 200 grams), armed trafficking in amphetamine (200 grams or more), 12 counts of armed possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell or deliver (Schedule II), two counts of armed possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell or deliver (Schedule I), one count of possession of a drug without a prescription, one count of possession of drug paraphernalia, one count of owning, leasing, or renting for the purpose of trafficking, selling, or manufacturing a controlled substance, one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking, selling, or manufacturing a controlled substance, and two counts of criminal mischief $1,000 or more.

“A man with eleven prior felony convictions had no business possessing a single firearm, let alone nine, along with a stockpile of narcotics,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “Our detectives did outstanding work turning a domestic violence call into the dismantling of a threat to our community. We will continue to seek out violent repeat offenders and work to get illegal guns and drugs off our streets.”

The investigation is ongoing. Updates will be released by the Public Affairs Office.