Rural Mason Man Arrested on Burglary, Drug Charges

(MARK BARNES)

A rural Mason man is in custody following the service of an arrest warrant and a search warrant at his residence yesterday morning.

54-year-old Mark C. Barnes was taken into custody at his residence without incident on a warrant charging burglary. Following the service of the arrest warrant, deputies observed illegal substances inside Barnes' residence and obtained a search warrant. At the completion of the search warrant, Barnes was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of stolen property, possession of ammunition by a felon and possession of a controlled substance.

The Effingham County Sheriff's Department was assisted by the US Marshal's Service, the US Department of Homeland Security, the Southeastern Illinois Drug Task Force and the Effingham City Police Department.

Speaking to the morning raid, Effingham County Sheriff Paul Kuhns said, "A collaborative effort of all of the participating law enforcement agencies has resulted in another arrest and the removal of methamphetamine from our community. I am proud of our agency and the efforts of those assisting us in working hard to combat drugs in our communities."

Barnes is being held without bail pending his first appearance in Effingham County Circuit Court. The case is being referred to the Effingham County State's Attorney's Office for prosecution.