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SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah resident was among the dozens of people President Donald Trump pardoned Tuesday on his last full day in office.
Lynn W. Barney was sentenced to 35 months in federal prison for possessing a gun after previously being convicted of a felony.
"This pardon is supported by Sen. Mike Lee, as well as numerous notable members of the Utah business community. Mr. Barney was sentenced to 35 months in prison for possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon, after having previously been convicted for distributing a small amount of marijuana," according to statement from the White House.
"Since his release from prison, Mr. Barney has been a model citizen and has devoted himself to his work and children. He is described by his employer as an exceedingly hard worker and a role model to other employees."
Federal court records show Barney was convicted in 6th District Court in central Utah of one felony count of distributing a controlled substances in 2002. He had one prior adult conviction and no juvenile record.
On May 11, 2004, St. George police responded to "suspicious person, possible suicide" call at an apartment complex. They found Barney apparently asleep in the driver's seat of a car in the parking lot. He awoke disoriented and officers believed he might be on drugs. As he stood to get out of the car, a gun fell from his pants onto the floorboard, according to court records.
Barney, then 25, was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of controlled substances in federal court. He admitted in a plea agreement to having a .25 caliber Beretta handgun and .25 caliber Winchester ammunition in St. George.
U.S. District Judge Dee Benson sentenced him to 35 months in prison in September 2005. Barney was released in January 2007, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
"Lynn Barney is an exceptional husband and father. He has truly turned his life around and now just wants to hunt with his kids like his father did before him. I thank President Trump for listening to his case and making the compassionate decision," Lee said in a statement.
Lee has not met Barney but his wife and his former employer reached out to the senator's office, said Lee spokesman Conn Carroll.