Man pleads guilty to resisting police at courthouse.

Jason Barnes with his attorney, Julie Springstead Waltz.

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor.

HART — A 36-year-old Hesperia man who tried to flee from an Oceana County bailiff deputy and a courthouse security guard last February pleaded guilty to a felony charge of resisting and opposing police in 27th Circuit Court Monday, April 11.

Jason Marshall Barnes, of 1670 S. 186th Ave., pleaded “no contest” last month to receiving and concealing stolen property $1,000-$20,000. As part of a plea agreement, Barnes’ sentence for the resisting police conviction will run concurrently with his other case, said Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon. Barnes’ sentence will not exceed a jail term for the other conviction, so he does not face a prison sentence.

After Barnes failed to appear for a pretrial hearing last February, Judge Anthony A. Monton issued a bench warrant for his arrest and increased his bond to $50,000 cash/surety.

When Barnes showed up at the courthouse the next day, he was informed by the bailiff deputy that there was a warrant for his arrest, and Barnes disagreed, Lt. Craig Mast of the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office said previously. When the deputy advised that he was being placed under arrest, Barnes tried fleeing the courthouse.

A short struggle ensued on the ground with Barnes continuing to be uncooperative. A security guard drew his taser to assist in restraining Barnes, but didn’t deploy it.

The maximum penalty for resisting police is two years in prison.

Sentencing is set for May 9 at 9 a.m. Barnes was remanded to the county jail pending sentencing.