Arkansas – According to the state officials, 50-year-old Shannon Barnett has been sentenced to 50 years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to multiple criminal offenses, including fleeing from law enforcement.
On Monday, March 3, 2025, he pleaded guilty to fleeing, failure to appear, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. His criminal history includes theft, drug offenses, and other firearm-related charges.
In June 2020, Barnett was placed on probation for possession of a controlled substance, forgery, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and failure to appear.
Two significant fleeing incidents occurred while he was on probation. On March 15, 2023, Barnett fled from Saline County Sheriff’s deputies, crashed into a house, and then attempted to escape on foot.
Nearly a year later, on February 29, 2024, he again attempted to evade deputies, nearly striking other vehicles and running a red light. The pursuit ended when an Arkansas State Police (ASP) trooper executed a tactical vehicle intervention (TVI) to stop him.
On May 10, 2024, Saline County Judge Josh Farmer found Barnett in violation of his probation and sentenced him to 30 years in the DOC. He is currently incarcerated at the Cummins Unit.
On March 3, Barnett entered a plea agreement for an additional 20 years in the DOC for the new offenses. The two sentences will run consecutively, bringing his total sentence to 50 years.
“These are the types of offenses where multiple people are put at serious risk of injury or death due to one person’s actions. I appreciate the efforts of the Saline County Sheriff’s Office and the Arkansas State Police in getting this dangerous individual off the streets,” said Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Shea Long.
“This recent conviction follows closely on the heels of a commitment from state prosecutors to rigorously pursue those who attempt to evade law enforcement,” said ASP Col. Mike Hagar. “I commend the Saline County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and the Saline County courts for ensuring that Barnett is held responsible for his dangerous and irresponsible conduct.”