Trooper sentenced to 6 months for promoting gambling

6 P.M. Story:

Testimony lasted 4 days, but in the end, the jury quickly came to a decision in the trial of 33 year old Trooper Jonathan Barnett.  A jury in Judge Layne Walker's court convicted Barnett of engaging in an organized criminal activity for his actions with a family business that leased eight liner gaming machines.

   Barnett remains a peace officer, although he is suspended from the Department of Public Safety. Barnett has been a state trooper since March of 2002.

   It took only 45 minutes for the jury to return the guilty verdict, and less than 30 minutes to sentence him to 6 months behind bars and a $10,000 fine.

   It was an emotional verdict for Barnett's family members, one left the courtroom when Barnett was sentenced , and 2 people had to be removed for outbursts.

  When Barnett was taken into custody, his parents, wife and other supporters gathered outside of Judge Layne Walkers courtroom. Many were crying.

   The case stems from a 2007 indictment against Barnett.  He was part of a family run business that leased 8-liner machines to local businesses. Barnett testified he did not know those businesses were paying cash to winners.

Prosecutors were surprised at how quickly the jury reached a decision.  They believe the verdict sends a message to anyone taking part in illegal gambling, whether they're promoting it, or leasing equipment used in illegal gambling.

"This is a message we hoped the jury would send, we're going to hold accountable, law enforcement as well as any others.  If they violate the law, they'll be held accountable.  And law enforcement, they were betrayed by this as well.  And it hurt them, so we want to assure them we've got their back," says Assistant District Attorney Pat Knauth.

   Barnett's attorney, Zack Hawthorn says the defense is disappointed in the verdict but respects it. He says the family and Jonathan Barnett are "hanging in," and have filed notice of appeal.

    A DPS spokesman said the agency will take further action on Barnett's job status.

The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education, or TCLEOSE, will seek to revoke Barnett's peace officer's license, according to Laura LeBlanc, public information officer for TCLEOSE.

"When someone is found guilty of criminal misconduct, when we get a certified copy of the court documentation, we'll seek under our rules to take appropriate disciplinary action," Le Blanc told KFDM News in a telephone conversation from Austin. "When someone is convicted of a felony then we seek to revoke the license. We'll notify the officer we're seeking to revoke the license. He'll have 20 days to contest or appeal that action. It could linger. It goes before our Board of Commissioners that meets four times a year."

Earlier Story:

A Jefferson County jury has decided a state trooper should spend 6 months in jail for engaging in organized criminal activity and promoting gambling through a family business that leases eight-liner machines and other equipment.

The crime is a State Jail Felony. Jonathan Barnett, 33, will also have to pay a $10,000 fine.  He could have faced up to two years behind bars.

Closing arguments ended shortly before 10 a.m. Friday in Judge Layne Walker's court and the jury returned with the verdict by 10:45 a.m. The punishment phase began shortly after that and the jury started deliberating punishment at about 11:45 a.m.  The panel returned within 23 minutes.

The Texas Department of Public Safety suspended Barnett.

"Based on the criminal case, we will be taking further action regarding his status," DPS spokesman Tom Vinger told KFDM News.

During closing arguments, Barnett's defense attorney told jurors the evidence shows Barnett helped with a family business, and there was no criminal enterprise.

Prosecutors said the only question is whether or not he knew there was illegal gambling, and they believe there is overwhelming evidence that he did.

The state told jurors Barnett used his training as a DPS officer against them in testimony.

Stay with KFDM News for more on the trial.