Granite Falls Man Sentenced To Prison For At Least Six Years

A Granite Falls man has been sentenced to serve six to nine years in prison.

27-year old Austin Lee Barnette pleaded guilty in Catawba County Superior Court on Wednesday to possession of a stolen motor vehicle, possession of methamphetamine, breaking/entering a motor vehicle and three counts of financial card fraud.

The crimes happened between October 2020 and May 2021 and were investigated by the Hickory Police Department.

Barnette’s sentence was extended because of three previous felony convictions, including breaking and entering and possession of a stolen motor vehicle.

Photo: Catawba County Sheriff’s Office