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Violent Career Cut Short: Rico Barnett Sentenced to 13 Years
Athens, GA – Rico Antonio Barnett, a 33-year-old Athens resident, has been sentenced to 156 months in federal prison for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The convictions stem from a pair of arrests in May 2015, which left one man injured and raised serious concerns about public safety.
According to Acting U.S. Attorney George F. Peterman, III, Barnett’s conduct is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by individuals who repeatedly demonstrate a disregard for the law and a propensity for violence. ‘Mr. Barnett has proven himself a violent and dangerous man, and the streets of Athens will be a safer place without him,’ said Peterman.
Barnett was first arrested on May 1, 2015, after a confrontation at a gas station on Highway 29. During the investigation, police found a loaded .45 caliber handgun and marijuana hidden in the bushes near the scene. Barnett ultimately admitted to possessing the firearm and narcotics. Just one week later, on May 8, 2015, police responded to a report of a shooting in a residential neighborhood and located a victim with a gunshot wound to the leg. Barnett was identified as the shooter and was apprehended after a high-speed car chase through another residential neighborhood.
The case was investigated by the Athens Clarke County Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with Assistant United States Attorney Peter Leary handling the prosecution. The evidence presented in court painted a disturbing picture of Barnett’s activities, including more than 45 prior state convictions for crimes such as battery, family violence battery, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
As Barnett begins his 13-year sentence, the community can breathe a sigh of relief. The case serves as a reminder that law enforcement agencies are committed to holding accountable those who engage in violent and destructive behavior. Barnett’s lengthy sentence is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the investigators and prosecutors who brought this case to justice.
Inquiries regarding the case should be directed to Pamela Lightsey at the United States Attorney’s Office at 478-621-2603.
Key Facts
- State: Georgia
- Category: Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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