JEFFERSON COUNTY — A 37-year-old Centralia man was sentenced Thursday in Jefferson County Court to 18 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections on a felony armed violence conviction.

Anthony J.G. Barnes filed an open plea of guilty in October to a Class X felony charge of armed violence. He was facing three Class X felony charges – two for armed violence, and one being an armed habitual criminal. But two of those charges were dismissed per the plea agreement.

Barnes was on parole from the Illinois Department of Corrections at the time of his 2021 arrest. According to the Mt. Vernon Police Department, Barnes was a passenger in a vehicle stopped for committing traffic violations.

When the officer removed the driver from the vehicle and began performing field sobriety testing, Barnes entered the driver’s seat and began attempting to flee in the vehicle.

A backup officer was able to approach the vehicle and prevent Barnes from driving off.

But Barnes began battering the officer and fled on foot. A foot pursuit was initiated, and officers were able to catch him after a short foot pursuit.

Barnes reportedly continued to resist arrest but officers were able to take him into custody.

During a search of Barnes officers located a loaded handgun, cannabis, and methamphetamine. Barnes refused to provide his name, but officers were eventually able to determine his identity.