FLORIDA – A St. Petersburg man with previous convictions for trafficking in cocaine has been arrested after he allegedly sold crack cocaine to a police informant.
United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced the arrest and filing of a criminal complaint charging Erik Barner, 44, of St. Petersburg, with one count of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.
If convicted, Barner faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
According to the complaint, on February 22, March 1, and March 10, 2023, Barner allegedly sold a total of 63 grams of crack cocaine to a confidential informant working with the St. Petersburg Police Department.
The complaint further alleges that Barner has prior convictions for trafficking in cocaine and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the St. Petersburg Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman will prosecute it.
A complaint is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
