Arkansas Man Gets 50-Year Sentence After Multiple Police Chases
A Saline County man has been sentenced to 50 years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple charges, including fleeing law enforcement.
Shannon Barnett, 50, of Alexander, Arkansas, entered a plea agreement on Monday, March 3, after admitting guilt to charges of fleeing, failure to appear, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. Barnett has an extensive criminal history, including theft, drug offenses, and firearm-related charges.
Barnett was previously placed on probation in June of 2020 for controlled substance possession, forgery, firearm possession by a prohibited person, and failure to appear. While on probation, he was involved in two high-profile fleeing incidents.
- March 15, 2023: He led Saline County deputies on a pursuit, crashed into a house, then attempted to escape on foot.
- February 29, 2024: Barnett fled from deputies again and ran a red light, nearly hitting other vehicles before being stopped by an Arkansas State Trooper using a tactical vehicle intervention.
On May 10, 2024, a judge found Barnett in violation of his probation and sentenced him to 30 years behind bars. His plea agreement on March 3 has now added another 20 years for his new offenses, for a total of 50 years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections.
Arkansas State Police Col. Mike Hagar commended all Arkansas law enforcement involved in safely apprehending Barnett and the prosecutors and courts for holding him accountable, emphasizing the state's commitment to prosecuting those who evade the law.
The Arkansas State Police are serious; take a look: