Khali Marquise Barnes, a resident of Huntington, has pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Court documents and statements confirm that on January 9, 2023, law enforcement officers found a loaded Glock 19 9mm handgun during a home compliance check at Barnes' residence.
Barnes, 25, was aware of his prohibition from owning a firearm due to a prior felony conviction for conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery in Cabell County Circuit Court on August 10, 2021. Federal law restricts individuals with a felony conviction from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 28, 2025, where Barnes could face a maximum of 15 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000.
The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston, who praised the investigative efforts of the Cabell County Sheriff's Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Huntington Police Department. The hearing was overseen by United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers, with Assistant United States Attorney Courtney L. Finney prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering trust within communities and supporting organizations that work towards violence prevention. The strategy, launched on May 26, 2021, focuses on strategic enforcement priorities and measuring results.
Additional information about this case is accessible via the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia's website and through the PACER system, by searching for Case No. 3:23-cr-61.
