Springdale Felon Sentenced for Gun

— A Springdale man has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a gun.

Fayetteville police, after a routine traffic stop, searched Michael Carnes’ car and found a handgun, a knife and $4,000. A later search at Carnes’ home netted two more firearms, methamphetamine, a drug ledger and another $7,900 in cash.

Carnes had prior convictions in Benton County for possession of a controlled substance and carrying a prohibited weapon.

Carnes pleaded guilty to the federal charges in November.

In addition to the prison term, Carnes was ordered to serve three years supervised probation upon release and was fined $12,500.

The case was prosecuted as part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative, which is aimed at reducing drug and gun violence and deterring the illegal possession of firearms, according to prosecutors.

“We remain committed to investigating and prosecuting felons in possession of firearms in order to keep our communities throughout the Western District of Arkansas safe from drugs and violence,” U.S. Attorney Conner Eldridge said in a news release.

The case was investigated by Fayetteville police, the 4th Judicial District Drug Task Force, and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Harris prosecuted the case.

State and federal prosecutors worked together and determined federal charges would get Carnes the most prison time, according to Washington County Prosecuting Attorney John Threet.

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