Ricky Keith Barnette, Armed Drug Dealer, California 2016

Defendant’s Daring Drive Ends in Crash and Conviction

Ricky Keith Barnette, a 34-year-old Antioch resident, has been sentenced to one hundred months in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine in California. The conviction is a result of a daring drive that ended in a crash on Highway 4 in Antioch, Calif., on January 8, 2016.

According to court documents, Barnette was driving a stolen BMW while in possession of over 167 grams of methamphetamine for sale and a stolen 9mm Ruger LC9 pistol loaded with eight rounds of ammunition. When officers from the Antioch Police Department attempted to pull Barnette over, he drove onto the off-ramp of Highway 4 and sped westbound in the eastbound lanes of the highway. The reckless driving led to a head-on collision with another vehicle, causing great bodily injury to the other driver.

Barnette pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1). The plea agreement stipulated that Barnette was aware of the methamphetamine in his possession and intended to distribute it. The prosecution, led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Garth Hire, was assisted by Vanessa Quant and involved the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Antioch Police Department, and the Contra Costa County Safe Streets Task Force.

Judge Jon S. Tigar, U.S. District Judge, handed down the sentence. In addition to the prison term, Judge Tigar ordered Barnette to serve a five-year period of supervised release and to forfeit the firearm and $1,760, which were admitted to be the proceeds of his drug trafficking. Barnette is currently in custody and will begin serving the sentence immediately.

The incident serves as a reminder of the dangers of reckless driving and the consequences of engaging in illicit activities. The conviction and sentence demonstrate the commitment of law enforcement agencies to combatting drug trafficking and bringing perpetrators to justice.

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