John Balentine, a Newport resident with multiple felony convictions, has been sentenced to 188 months in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm. The announcement was made by Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas. The sentence was issued on November 18, 2024, by United States District Judge Lee P. Rudofsky.
Balentine, aged 34, was charged on December 7, 2022, with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He entered a guilty plea on May 24, 2024. In addition to his prison term, Judge Rudofsky imposed five years of supervised release on Balentine. It is noted that the federal system does not offer parole.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted an investigation which revealed that officers from the Newport Police Department and Arkansas Community Correction responded to Balentine's home on February 18, 2020. This response followed reports that he possessed a firearm while under active supervision with a search waiver in place. During their search of his bedroom, officers found a loaded Colt .38 caliber firearm between his mattresses.
Balentine's classification as an armed career criminal offender stems from his history of violent crimes. His record includes four residential burglaries, a robbery, and a terroristic act conviction. This criminal background subjected him to a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison.
The ATF led the investigation with support from the Newport Police Department and Arkansas Community Correction. Assistant United States Attorney Katie Hinojosa prosecuted the case.