Hip Hop Artist Pleads Guilty to Firearms Charges

GREENVILLE—United States Attorney George E.B. Holding announced that in federal court today MOSES BARRETT, also known as celebrity hip hop artist Petey Pablo, of Knightdale, North Carolina, pled guilty before United States Magistrate Judge David W. Daniel to possession of stolen firearms, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(j) and 924.

According to the iIndictment returned on October 7, 2010, BARRETT, 37, while attempting to board a U.S. Airways flight, was found with a concealed Smith and Wesson 9mm pistol. The investigation revealed that on September 11, 2010, while attempting to clear security, a Transportation Security Administration officer, screening bags, located the loaded firearm in a bag that had passed through an x-ray machine. BARRETT claimed ownership of the bag. Further investigation revealed that the firearm had been stolen.

At sentencing set for the June, 2011, term of court, BARRETT faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment.

Investigation of this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Raleigh-Durham International Airport Police; and the Transportation Security Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Toby Lathan represented the government.