A Sallisaw resident has pleaded guilty to illegally possessing a firearm, according to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. Marlina Dawn Hardbarger, 49, admitted to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The offense carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
According to the indictment, on September 10, 2025, Hardbarger knowingly possessed a .223-5.56mm caliber semi-automatic rifle after having previously been convicted of an offense punishable by more than one year in prison.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Office.
The plea was accepted by U.S. Magistrate Judge Gerald L. Jackson in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. Judge Jackson ordered that a presentence investigation report be completed.
A U.S. District Court Judge will determine Hardbarger’s sentence after reviewing federal sentencing guidelines and other relevant factors.
Hardbarger is currently held by the United States Marshals Service until sentencing takes place.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Olivia Staubus represented the government in this case.
