A Blytheville man, Jeremy Barnett, has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for the production of child pornography and illegal possession of firearms. The sentence was announced by Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, and was handed down by United States District Judge D.P. Marshall, Jr.
Barnett, 36, was indicted on October 5, 2023, by a federal grand jury on charges including being a felon in possession of firearms, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. On March 6, 2025, a two-count Superseding Information charged him with being a felon in possession of firearms and production of child pornography. Barnett pleaded guilty to both counts that same day.
Judge Marshall sentenced Barnett to 20 years for the production of child pornography and an additional 10-year sentence for being a felon in possession of firearms; both sentences will be served concurrently. Barnett will also serve five years of supervised release after his prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
The investigation revealed that Barnett was involved in trafficking methamphetamine and other controlled substances. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at his residence and recovered multiple firearms along with marijuana, methamphetamine pills, suspected oxycodone and alprazolam tablets, among other substances. At the time of this search, Barnett had prior convictions for violent offenses such as battery in the third degree and domestic battery in the second degree.
While awaiting trial on the original indictment, officers learned that Barnett had recorded himself engaging in sexual acts with a minor on several occasions. A search warrant for his phone led officers to recover videos documenting these acts.
Barnett’s criminal history includes convictions for criminal trespass, possession of marijuana, carrying a weapon, battery in the third degree and criminal mischief, as well as domestic battery in the second degree.
The prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159: Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is designed as an interagency effort focused on dismantling criminal cartels and organizations involved in activities such as human smuggling and trafficking within the United States and abroad. The task force places special emphasis on crimes involving children.
The investigation was conducted by agents from several agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Mississippi County Sheriff’s Office; and Second Judicial District Drug Task Force.
