Plain Dealing Felon Gets 6.5 Years for Loaded Shotgun

SHREVEPORT, La. – Johann Gary Barnes, 47, of Plain Dealing, Louisiana, is headed to federal prison for six and a half years after being sentenced Monday by Chief U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. for being a convicted felon illegally possessing a firearm. The sentence sends a clear message: those with a history of crime will not be allowed to arm themselves and further endanger the public.

The bust went down January 29, 2018, when a Benton police officer pulled over Barnes’ pickup truck. It wasn’t a traffic violation that drew the officer’s attention, but rather the stench of something else. During the stop, the officer spotted a small amount of marijuana in the center console. But the real discovery was at the driver’s feet: a sawed-off Ithaca, model: 37 Featherlite, 12-gauge shotgun, loaded with four rounds in the magazine tube and one round chambered. Barnes had no legal right to possess it.

Barnes’ criminal history is extensive. Court records show he was previously convicted in Caddo Parish on March 1, 2004, for possession with intent to distribute a Schedule I drug. Just over a year later, on September 27, 2005, he was again convicted in Caddo Parish – this time for possession of a firearm by a felon. Federal law is unambiguous: convicted felons are barred from possessing firearms or ammunition. Barnes clearly ignored that law.

Barnes ultimately pleaded guilty to the current federal charge on November 15, 2018, acknowledging his illegal possession of the weapon. While the initial traffic stop involved a small amount of marijuana, the focus of the prosecution – and the judge’s sentence – was squarely on the firearm. This case highlights the dedication of law enforcement to removing dangerous weapons from the hands of those who shouldn’t have them.

The case was investigated by a joint task force comprised of agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and officers from the Benton Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford handled the prosecution, building a solid case that led to the significant sentence. The government’s focus on violent crime reduction is exemplified by the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, which aims to target the most dangerous offenders and provide lasting solutions to community violence.

Project Safe Neighborhoods, a Department of Justice program, isn’t just about arrests and convictions. It’s a comprehensive strategy that brings together a wide range of stakeholders to address the root causes of violent crime and provide resources for prevention and reentry programs. This case serves as a reminder that repeat offenders will be held accountable, and that federal and local agencies will continue to work together to make Louisiana communities safer.

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