(Sioux City)– A man charged in the accidental shooting death of a Sheldon teen in 2002 has pleaded guilty to numerous charges in Federal Court in Sioux City.
25-year-old Lathan Barnett of Sheldon pleaded guilty earlier this month to using a short-barreled shotgun during a crime of violence; making sawed-off shotguns which were not registered with the National Firearms Registration; and possessing two short-barreled shotguns while being an unlawful user of marijuana.
At a plea hearing, Barnett admitted that between September and October of 2002 he possessed several firearms and kept them at Shane Meyer’s apartment in Sheldon. He also admitted to cutting down several firearms.
On October 8th, 2002, Barnett was at Meyer’s apartment along with a 17-year-old female friend, Shelly Gonnerman of Sheldon. Earlier that day, Barnett and Meyer had cut down three short-barreled shotguns and a 20-gauge shotgun. While Barnett was handling the 20-gauge, it went off, striking Gonnerman who was sitting next to Barnett. Gonnerman was killed instantly.
Barnett will be sentenced August 5th. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Mayer was previously sentenced to seven years in prison in connection to the accidental shooting of Gonnerman.
(Story from Danielle Hitchings of sister station KDWD Hot 100 in Spencer.).
