Share and Follow
In a notable legal development from Gainesville, Florida, Khalil Keari Barnett, aged 30, has been handed a seven-year prison term. Barnett had previously admitted guilt to multiple charges, including possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of a firearm in connection with drug trafficking, and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition. This sentencing was confirmed by John P. Heekin, the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
In a statement underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts in law enforcement, U.S. Attorney Heekin commended the effective investigative work carried out by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office alongside federal partners. He remarked, “Thanks to this outstanding teamwork, we have successfully removed another violent, drug-peddling criminal from our streets. Initiatives like Operation Take Back America are critical in harnessing the Department of Justice’s full capabilities to tackle the threats posed by violent offenders. My office remains committed to prosecuting such individuals until our communities are secure and free from drugs.”
The events leading to Barnett’s arrest unfolded on August 7, 2025. Responding to a domestic battery report, deputies from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office discovered Barnett had already fled the scene. Upon locating him, Barnett attempted to escape and, in the process, discarded a firearm and a sizable bag of marijuana. This incident played a significant role in the charges that ultimately led to his conviction and sentencing.
Original arrest
On August 7, 2025, Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a call about a domestic battery, but Barnett was no longer at the scene; when deputies found him, he ran, and deputies saw him discard a firearm and a large bag of marijuana.
A search incident to arrest produced about 16.4 grams of marijuana and a box of ammunition with 13 bullets on Barnett’s person; a Glock 42 with six rounds of ammunition and a shopping bag containing over one pound of marijuana were found along Barnett’s path.
Post Miranda, Barnett reportedly said that he and the victim had engaged in a verbal argument and nothing ever became physical, but he later said he “acted off reflex” to get the victim away from him. He reportedly said he fled because he did not want to “catch a domestic” charge and that he ran when he saw deputies because he knew it was “time to go to jail.” He reportedly said the discarded marijuana was his and that it was all for personal use because he “smokes a lot of weed.”
Barnett was originally charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell within 1,000 feet of a school/child care facility, two counts of possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, tampering with evidence, battery with a prior battery conviction (a felony), and resisting an officer without violence. He has juvenile convictions between 2008 and 2014, one adult felony conviction (non-violent), and four adult misdemeanor convictions (one violent); he has served one state prison sentence and was released in 2021. The state charges were dropped after the federal indictment.
Sheriff Chad Scott: “We will not allow violent criminals who inflict physical harm, unlawfully possess weapons, and traffic narcotics to roam our streets in search of their next victim.”
Alachua County Sheriff Chad Scott said, “The arrest and subsequent federal conviction of Mr. Barnett is, once again, strong evidence to our community that we will not allow violent criminals who inflict physical harm, unlawfully possess weapons, and traffic narcotics to roam our streets in search of their next victim. As your Sheriff, I stood before this community and made a commitment to keep you safe while you enjoy all that Alachua County has to offer. It is through partnerships like our relationship with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, along with our federal law enforcement partners, that we are able to uphold that promise.”
The conviction and sentence were the result of a joint investigation by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Christie S. Utt prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.