Barnes Gets Prison Time for Drugs

Effingham resident Mark C. Barnes has been sentenced to 6-1/2 years in prison for possession of methamphetamine.

The 47-year-old Barnes pleaded guilty Monday to a case filed in 2014. Other possession of controlled substance counts filed as part of that offense were dismissed in exchange for a guilty plea by Barnes to the meth possession charge.

Counts filed this year alleging delivery of heroin were also dismissed today.

Effingham County State's Attorney Bryan Kibler said Barnes agreed to an extended term in exchange for the dismissal of the other counts. Possession of methamphetamine is typically a Class 3 felony with a maximum sentence of two to five years. Kibler said the certainty of obtaining prison time was another consideration in agreeing to the plea. With time served in jail awaiting a disposition of the case, Barnes will have to spend more than three years in prison before being eligible for release.

Barnes will also forfeit more than $13,000 to cover fees and costs associated with the cases.