Huntington Felon Barnes Gets 4+ Years for Glock Possession

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Khali Marquise Barnes, 26, is trading his bed for a federal cell after receiving a 52-month sentence today for illegally possessing a loaded firearm. The sentencing, handed down by U.S. District Judge Robert C. Chambers, sends a clear message: West Virginia will not tolerate felons flaunting weapons.

On January 9, 2023, a routine home compliance check turned up more than dust bunnies at Barnes’ Huntington residence. Law enforcement officers discovered a loaded Glock 19 9mm handgun nestled right in Barnes’ bed. The discovery wasn’t a surprise to Barnes, who readily admitted to owning the weapon, fully aware he wasn’t legally allowed to.

Barnes’ criminal history is the key to this conviction. He already carried a felony conviction for conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery, secured in Cabell County Circuit Court on August 10, 2021. Federal law is blunt: a prior felony conviction strips an individual of the right to possess firearms or ammunition. Barnes knew the rules, and chose to ignore them.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston announced the sentence, praising the collaborative effort of the Cabell County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Huntington Police Department. This wasn’t a solo operation; it was a coordinated takedown of a dangerous individual. Assistant U.S. Attorney Courtney L. Finney successfully prosecuted the case.

This case falls under the umbrella of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a comprehensive initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence across the nation. PSN focuses on building trust within communities, supporting violence prevention programs, and prioritizing strategic enforcement – with measurable results. The Department’s renewed focus on PSN, launched in May 2021, is clearly bearing fruit in cities like Huntington.

Barnes will serve his 52-month sentence, followed by three years of supervised release. For those seeking further details, a copy of the press release is available on the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia website. Court documents related to Case No. 3:23-cr-61 can be found on PACER. This conviction serves as a stark reminder that possessing a firearm while prohibited carries severe consequences.