Lima man rejects plea deal

LIMA — A Lima man rejected a plea deal that included nine years in prison Wednesday in Allen County Common Pleas Court.

The deal would have Jaques Barnett, 32, plead guilty to a reduced charge of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, a second-degree felony, and third-degree felony charges of fentanyl trafficking, failure to comply with police and having weapons under disability. The rest of the charges across three separate cases would be dismissed.

Barnett’s current attorney, Assistant Public Defender Megan McLean, said Barnett wants to hire a private attorney, so she filed a motion requesting continuance of the jury trial currently set for Nov. 4.

Chief Assistant Prosecutor Kyle Thines said if the trial is canceled for Nov. 4 then the offer would remain open.

In one case, Barnett faces three counts of fentanyl trafficking and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity. In another case, the charges include failure to comply, improper handling of firearms in a motor vehicle and having weapons under disability. Barnett has also violated probation on a previous charge of having weapons under disability.

Reach Charlotte Caldwell at 567-242-0451.