David Barber, Possessing a Firearm in a School Zone, Wisconsin 2023

BELOIT, WI – David Barber, 38, of Beloit, Wisconsin, is headed to federal prison for 42 months after being sentenced by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley for possessing a firearm in a school zone. Barber pleaded guilty to the charge back in October of 2022, but the events leading to his conviction stretch back to a late-night traffic stop gone wrong.

The trouble began around 2:18 a.m. on December 20, 2020, when a Beloit police officer pulled over the silver SUV Barber was driving for an unspecified traffic violation. Things escalated quickly when Barber, instead of cooperating, bolted from the scene. The officer noted the presence of a large revolver and open alcohol in the vehicle’s center console before Barber sped off.

Police tracked Barber to his brother’s apartment, where they found him hiding. A search of the premises led them to a loaded silver Weihrauch .45 Colt revolver stashed in the bathroom cabinet. Crucially, forensic analysis confirmed Barber’s DNA was present on the gun’s trigger, directly linking him to the weapon. The location of the initial traffic stop – less than 1,000 feet from a school – sealed the federal charge.

This wasn’t Barber’s first brush with the law. Judge Conley explicitly noted Barber’s lengthy history of criminal activity and repeated violations of federal supervision, stemming from a prior conviction for heroin trafficking. Barber has been cycling through the criminal justice system since 2001, consistently failing to comply with the terms of his release.

In addition to the 42-month sentence for the gun charge, Judge Conley added another six months of incarceration to address the violation of Barber’s federal supervision, to be served consecutively. The firearm and ammunition were ordered forfeited to the government. Upon his release from prison, Barber will face an additional two years of supervised release, a measure Judge Conley hopes will finally break the cycle of re-offending.

The investigation was a joint effort between the Beloit Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan prosecuted the case. The case is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through coordinated law enforcement efforts and community engagement. PSN focuses on fostering trust, supporting community organizations, prioritizing strategic enforcement, and measuring results.

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