U.S. Attorney Jonathan D. Ross | U.S. Department of Justice
John Balentine, a resident of Newport, Arkansas, has been sentenced to 188 months in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm. The announcement was made by Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas. The sentence was delivered on November 18, 2024, by United States District Judge Lee P. Rudofsky.
Balentine, aged 34, was indicted on December 7, 2022, under a superseding indictment for one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He entered a guilty plea on May 24, 2024. In addition to his prison term, Judge Rudofsky imposed five years of supervised release on Balentine. It is important to note that there is no parole in the federal system.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted an investigation revealing that officers from the Newport Police Department and Arkansas Community Correction responded to Balentine’s residence on February 18, 2020. They were acting on reports that he possessed a firearm while under active supervision with a search waiver in place. During their search of his bedroom, officers found a loaded Colt .38 caliber firearm between Balentine’s mattresses.
Balentine's classification as an armed career criminal offender stems from his violent criminal history. His record includes convictions for four residential burglaries, robbery, and a terroristic act. This history mandated at least a 15-year prison sentence.
The ATF led the investigation with support from the Newport Police Department and Arkansas Community Correction. Assistant United States Attorney Katie Hinojosa prosecuted the case.
