Damien Diggs U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas
A Beaumont man has been sentenced to federal prison for violating firearm laws, as announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr. Demond Maurice Barnes, 46, was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on February 7, 2025, after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The court heard that on June 15, 2023, law enforcement responded to a minor car accident in Port Arthur. During their response, officers received reports indicating that one of the drivers was armed. Upon arrival at the scene, officers found a red Ford Mustang involved in the accident and its driver unconscious and unresponsive. The driver was identified as Barnes. Officers discovered he had a semi-automatic pistol under him when they removed him from the vehicle.
Further investigation revealed that Barnes had previous felony convictions in Louisiana for possession of cocaine and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Federal law prohibits convicted felons from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime through collaboration among federal, state, and local agencies. PSN focuses on identifying significant violent crime issues within communities and developing strategies to address them effectively.
The investigation was conducted by the Port Arthur Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Quinn.
