Effingham Man Arrested on Heroin Delivery Charges

Effingham resident Mark C. Barnes has been charged with three felony counts of delivery of controlled substance, that being heroin.

The 47-year-old Barnes is charged with delivering heroin on October 17, October 31 and December 8, 2014.

Effingham County State's Attorney Bryan Kibler said, "The charges against Mr. Barnes are the result of a continuous and ongoing Effingham Police Department investigation. On Wednesday of this week, in furtherance of this investigation, city police officers executed a search warrant at the defendant's home and recovered various narcotics-related items."

Barnes appeared in court before Judge Kimberly Koester Thursday afternoon on the counts. Judge Koester deferred the setting of bond on the new charges until Friday, February 13 at 11am.

At the time of his apprehension on the new counts, Barnes was out on bond and under a condition of electronic home confinement in an unrelated felony narcotics case in Effingham County. Judge Koester granted Kibler's motion to immediately revoke bail in the earlier matter.

Each new allegation is a Class 2 felony charge, punishable by up to seven years in prison. If convicted on any of the newly-filed charges, as well as the previously-filed charge, Barnes faces mandatory consecutive sentencing of up to 17 years in prison.