By Staff Reporter

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Khalil Keari Barnett, aged 29, faces a federal indictment following his August arrest in Gainesville. The charges against him include possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm and ammunition impacting interstate commerce.

The incident unfolded on August 7 when deputies from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office responded to a domestic battery call. By the time officers arrived, Barnett had already left the scene. Upon locating him, Barnett allegedly attempted to flee, during which deputies reportedly observed him discarding a firearm and a sizable bag of marijuana.

During a search conducted at the time of his arrest, authorities reportedly discovered approximately 16.4 grams of marijuana and a box containing 13 rounds of ammunition on Barnett. Along the route of his attempted escape, they also reportedly recovered a Glock 42 loaded with six rounds and a shopping bag holding over a pound of marijuana.

After being read his Miranda rights, Barnett allegedly stated that he and the alleged victim had only engaged in a verbal dispute and that it never escalated physically. He later admitted to acting impulsively to distance himself from the victim. Barnett reportedly confessed to fleeing because he wished to avoid a domestic violence charge and acknowledged running from the deputies as he realized it was inevitable he would be jailed. Additionally, he purportedly claimed the discarded marijuana was for personal use, citing a high consumption habit.

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. Judge Kristine Van Vorst set bail at $256,000, and Barnett has remained in the Alachua County Jail.

Formal state charges have been filed for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, domestic battery with a prior conviction, and resisting an officer without violence. He is currently scheduled to change his plea on November 18.

Meanwhile, he was indicted in federal court on November 4 on three charges: possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm and ammunition affecting interstate commerce; the third count states that he possessed a pistol and ammunition, and “[t]his firearm and ammunition had previously been transported in interstate commerce.” A federal judge has ordered him held without bail until trial.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.