A 36-year-old Centralia man has pleaded guilty in Jefferson County Court to a Class X charge of armed violence.
Anthony J.G. Barnes was released on his own recognizance bond until the December first sentencing hearing where he is expected to receive between a six and 60-year prison term.
As part of the negotiated plea, another armed violence charge and a charge of being an armed habitual criminal were dropped. Barnes was scheduled for jury trial on the charges on October 11th.
The charges stem from a traffic stop on October 9th of last year when Barnes, who was a passenger, reportedly climbed into the driver’s seat and attempted to drive off while the original driver was being given a field sobriety test. Mt. Vernon Police at the time said a second officer prevented Barnes from driving off, but then Barnes allegedly battered the officer and fled on foot. Barnes also allegedly refused to give police his name.
During a search of Barnes, he was allegedly found in possession of a loaded handgun, cannabis, and methamphetamine. He was on parole from the Illinois Department of Corrections at the time of the incident.
