Omaha Woman Sentenced for Threatening VA Hospital Employees

Acting United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Tina Hardin, age 53, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today to time served by Senior United States District Court Judge Joseph F. Bataillon for Influencing, Impeding, or Retaliating Against a Federal Official by Threat. Hardin has already served approximately 14 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. Hardin will now serve a 3-year term of supervised release with conditions regarding mental health treatment, substance abuse, and weapons possession.

On January 29, 2020, Hardin was brought to the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Omaha. Hardin was making homicidal and suicidal statements to the VA medical staff upon being dropped off, specifically, that she wanted to “shoot up the VA.” Hardin was a shuttle driver for the VA at the time. Hardin stated her plan was to gather weapons and magazines and shoot and kill 2 dispatchers with the VA shuttle service and a supervisor in the VA shuttle service. Hardin described the weapons she planned to use as an Uzi, an AR-15, a sawed-off shotgun, and a Glock 9mm handgun.

“VA personnel and the veterans they serve should feel safe while working and receiving care within VA facilities,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Gavin McClaren with the VA Office of Inspector General’s Central Field Office. “The VA OIG and our law enforcement partners are committed to identifying and stopping individuals who would threaten VA personnel and operations.”

This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.

This case was investigated by the Veterans Affairs Police Department and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of the Inspector General – Criminal Investigations Division.