FORT MYERS, FL – Steven Dewayne Barnes, Jr., 26, of Fort Myers is facing a lengthy federal prison sentence after being convicted of illegally possessing a loaded firearm with a deliberately destroyed serial number. The conviction, secured following a bench trial before United States District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell, highlights the continued flow of ghost guns and illegally obtained weapons onto the streets of Southwest Florida.
According to court records, Fort Myers Police Department officers encountered Barnes walking on Washington Avenue on November 15, 2022. Officers, growing concerned Barnes, a repeat offender, was concealing a weapon, conducted a search. That search yielded a loaded Smith and Wesson handgun, complete with a laser sight, tucked into Barnes’ waistband. Crucially, the firearm’s serial number had been intentionally scratched out, rendering it untraceable.
Barnes’ criminal history already disqualifies him from legally possessing any firearms or ammunition. He previously served time in state prison for a violent felony, a fact that made his possession of the weapon a clear violation of federal law. The obliterated serial number adds another layer of seriousness to the charge, indicating an attempt to hide the gun’s origin and potentially its involvement in other crimes.
The case was a joint effort by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Fort Myers Police Department, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Assistant United States Attorney Simon R. Eth is prosecuting the case, seeking to hold Barnes accountable for his actions. Barnes now faces a maximum penalty of 20 years behind bars.
Federal officials are framing the prosecution as part of “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN), a broad initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through coordinated law enforcement efforts and community engagement. The Department of Justice launched a strengthened version of PSN in May 2021, emphasizing trust-building, community support, and strategic enforcement.
While the feds tout PSN’s community-based approach, the reality on the ground remains grim. Barnes’ case is just one example of the readily available firearms in the hands of convicted felons, and the continued practice of obliterating serial numbers to evade detection. Sentencing has not yet been scheduled, leaving the question of justice – and whether 20 years is enough – unanswered.
Related Federal Cases
- Steven Dewayne Barnes Jr., Gun Possession, Fort Myers FL, 2023 · Florida
- Max Chambers, Machine Gun Possession, Florida 2019 · Ohio
- Rejjie Ni, Possession of a Machine Gun, New York 2019 · Florida
- Shaborn Washington, Gun Possession, Florida 2023 · Florida
- Noah Robert Calderon, Possession of a Destructive Device, Burleson … · Florida
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