Darnell K. Barnes, 28, is headed to federal prison after being caught with two loaded guns he had no right to own. A conviction for robbery in 2009 stripped him of any legal claim to firearms, yet Barnes was found in possession of a loaded Taurus .40 caliber pistol and an Armalite .223 rifle during a narcotics investigation.
The bust went down on March 24, 2015, when the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit zeroed in on Barnes over suspected marijuana trafficking. Hidden inside two priority mail packages were quantities of marijuana—clear evidence of the drug charge. But the real shock came when officers uncovered the firearms stashed in Barnes’ possession.
The Taurus pistol had a live round chambered and the magazine loaded. The Armalite rifle? Same story—ready to fire. Barnes admitted he paid $100 for one weapon and $300 for the other, though he claimed the seller’s identity was unknown. No background check. No paperwork. Just cold cash for deadly firepower.
Under federal law, specifically Title 18, United States Code Section 922(g)(1), anyone convicted of a felony is barred from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition. Barnes’ 2009 conviction for Robbery, First Degree, in Mobile County triggered that prohibition. His actions didn’t just break the law—they risked public safety with every trigger pull.
Today, U.S. District Judge Kristi K. DuBose handed down a 70-month federal prison sentence, followed by three years of supervised release. The message is clear: felons who arm themselves will face hard time. The case was investigated by the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Assistant United States Attorney Suntrease Williams-Maynard prosecuted the case, underscoring the federal government’s relentless push to keep weapons out of the hands of violent offenders. For Darnell K. Barnes, the price of two guns? Nearly six years behind bars.
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More