Local Man Sentenced to Seven-Year Prison Term on Drug Offense

An Effingham County man has been sentenced to seven years in prison on a drug offense.

26-year-old Layton Barnes entered the guilty plea on Tuesday to the Class X felony count of methamphetamine delivery, meaning a sentence of from six to 30 years in prison.

Barnes was taken into custody in February of 2023 after the Effingham City/County Special Response Team served a search warrrant on Barnes' residence along 400th Avenue in rural Mason. Authorities found methamphetamine, cannabis, drug equipment, firearm ammunition and an amount of US currency termed "unusual" by authorities.

Other counts filed against Barnes were dismissed as part of the plea. Barnes' prison term will run concurrent with a criminal case from Crawford County.