Tampa, FL - U.S. Attorney Robert E. O'Neill announces that U.S. District Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington today sentenced James Dion Barnes (40, Bradenton) to 262 months in federal prison for conspiring with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. Barnes’ sentence arose in part from his extensive criminal history dating back to 1990, including three prior felony drug trafficking convictions.

Barnes pled guilty on May 5, 2011.

According to court documents, Barnes worked with others in Sarasota and elsewhere, between 2006 and 2010, to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine.

On September 16, 2010, a Sarasota County deputy initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle being driven by Barnes. The stop occurred on Interstate 75 in Sarasota County. During the stop, the deputy deployed his drug-detecting canine, and the canine alerted. Officers then searched the vehicle, and found 240 grams of cocaine hidden in the air filter cavity.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Sarasota Police Department as part of an on-going Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher F. Murray.

 

 

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