Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Jamohn Barney, 25, Madison, Wisconsin was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 66 months in federal prison, followed by a three-year term of supervised release, for unlawfully possessing a loaded firearm as a felon. Barney pleaded guilty to this charge on February 5, 2020.

On August 10, 2019, Barney was passed out behind the wheel of his car, which was running, at a McDonald’s in Monona. He had an open bottle of champagne between his legs. He resisted law enforcement requests to cooperate with sobriety tests, so he was placed in handcuffs. While placing him in handcuffs, officers saw a bag of “white rock-like substance” on the driver's floorboard. Based on their training and experience, they believed the substance was crack cocaine. The car was lawfully searched and in the center console was a loaded Taurus 9mm pistol, wrapped in a blue bandana.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives traced the firearm and found that it had been purchased by Lidia Molina on July 12, 2019. Further investigation led to the prosecution of Molina for the purchase of numerous firearms for her boyfriend, a felon (“straw purchases”). In this instance, he sold the Taurus pistol to Barney, who is a friend and associate. Molina is scheduled to be sentenced July 18, 2020.

Barney was convicted of robbery with use of force in 2014, and battery by prisoners in 2015. He was serving a term of extended supervision in Dane County Circuit Court when he unlawfully possessed the Taurus.

The charge against Barney was the result of an investigation conducted by the Monona Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow. United States Attorney Scott C. Blader Western District of Wisconsin

This case has been brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Department’s program to reduce violent crime. The PSN approach involves collaboration by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and communities to prevent and deter gun violence.

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