Case docket
United States v. Barnes PPP fraud case — U.S. District Court, E.D.N.C.
United States v. Barnes PPP fraud case — U.S. District Court, E.D.N.C. — 25 documents in the archive, dated March 22, 2023 to August 27, 2025.
Case facts
| Court | U.S. District Court, Eastern District of North Carolina |
|---|---|
| Docket number | No. 5:23-cr-00094 — main docket · CourtListener dockets 200165, 200166 |
| Filings | 25 public filings |
| Filed | 2023-03-22 – 2025-08-27 |
| Original PDFs | 25 of 25 |
Case summary
United States v. Monica Faye Barnes, et al., No. 5:23-cr-00094-D in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, concerns a Paycheck Protection Program loan obtained in the name of Minnie's Banana Cups and Catering Service, Inc. The criminal information filed March 22, 2023 charges Monica Faye Barnes and Dontrell Rayshar Barnes with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and states that the fraudulent PPP application claimed seven employees and an annual payroll of approximately $700,000. Both pleaded guilty to count one. Monica Faye Barnes was sentenced July 28, 2023 to 12 months and one day, three years of supervised release, restitution of $153,711.46 and a $100 assessment. Dontrell Rayshare Barnes received the same terms on February 22, 2024. The Fourth Circuit dismissed his appeal in part and affirmed in part on April 18, 2025.
Case at a glance
| Defendant(s) | Monica Faye Barnes; Dontrell Rayshar Barnes (spelled Dontrell Rayshare Barnes in the judgment) |
|---|---|
| Court and docket | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, No. 5:23-cr-00094-D |
| Program | Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) |
| Charges | Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1349 and 1343, count one; offense ended September 30, 2021 |
| Outcome and sentence | Both pleaded guilty to count one. Monica Faye Barnes: 12 months and one day, three years supervised release, restitution $153,711.46, $100 assessment (July 28, 2023). Dontrell Rayshare Barnes: the same terms (February 22, 2024) |
| Status checked | 2026-09-23 · against DOJ press releases through 2026-09-22; court docket not yet read |
What were the Barneses sentenced to?
Each was committed to the Bureau of Prisons for a total term of 12 months and one day, with three years of supervised release to follow. Each judgment orders restitution of $153,711.46 and a $100 special assessment; the court recommended FCI Alderson for Monica Faye Barnes and FCI Butner for Dontrell Rayshare Barnes.
What does the information say about the PPP application?
It states that the application and supporting paperwork for Minnie's Banana Cups claimed seven employees and an annual payroll of approximately $700,000, figures designed to yield a PPP loan of just under $150,000, and that the loan was obtained with the assistance of two people in Texas paid a percentage of the proceeds. Its forfeiture allegation seeks a money judgment of at least $94,791 against Monica Faye Barnes.
What happened after sentencing?
Monica Faye Barnes was released from the Bureau of Prisons on May 3, 2024, and on October 21, 2024 the court denied her motion for a sentence reduction as moot. The Fourth Circuit dismissed Dontrell Barnes's appeal in part, as barred by his appeal waiver, and affirmed the judgment in part, on April 18, 2025.
Docket
25 documents in docket-entry order; attachments follow their entry. Gaps name the entries we do not have.
No. 5:23-cr-00094
- Criminal Information — United States v. Monica Faye Barnes and Dontrell Rayshar Barnes (E.D.N.C.)Entry 5 · CourtListener docket 200165
- —Entries 6–13 are not in the archive; entry 14 is listed under More documents below
- Arraignment Calendar for April 26, 2023Entry 15 · CourtListener docket 200166
- —Entries 16–17, 19–20 and 23–24 are not in the archive; entries 18 and 21–22 are listed under More documents below
- Consent Preliminary Order of Forfeiture — United States v. Monica Faye BarnesEntry 25 · CourtListener docket 200166
- Arraignment Calendar for May 24, 2023Entry 26 · CourtListener docket 200165
- —Entries 27–28, 30 and 33–39 are not in the archive; entries 29 and 31–32 are listed under More documents below
- Criminal Session Commencing on Thursday, July 27, 2023 — The Honorable James C. Dever III — Raleigh, North CarolinaEntry 40 · CourtListener docket 200166
- —Entry 41 is not in the archive; entries 42–43 are listed under More documents below
- Defendant's Sentencing Memorandum — United States v. Monica Faye Barnes (E.D.N.C.)Entry 44 · CourtListener docket 200166
- —Entry 45 is not in the archive
- Judgment in a Criminal Case — United States v. Monica Faye BarnesEntry 46 · CourtListener docket 200166
- —Entry 47 is not in the archive; entries 48–49 are listed under More documents below
- Motion to Withdraw as Counsel: Monica Faye Barnes (E.D.N.C.)Entry 50 · CourtListener docket 200166
- Order Allowing Withdrawal as Counsel (Doc. 50-1, filed 2023-08-11)Entry 50, attachment 1 · CourtListener docket 200166
- —Entry 51 is listed under More documents below
- Order Allowing Withdrawal as Counsel (Doc. 52, filed 2023-08-14)Entry 52 · CourtListener docket 200166
- —Entries 55 and 57 are not in the archive; entries 53–54 and 56 are listed under More documents below
- Notice of Appearance — United States of America v. Monica Faye Barnes, Case No. 5:23-CR-00094-D-2Entry 58 · CourtListener docket 200166
- —Entry 61 is not in the archive; entries 59–60 are listed under More documents below
- Transcript of Arraignment and Guilty Plea — United States v. Monica Faye BarnesEntry 62 · CourtListener docket 200166
- —Entry 63 is not in the archive
- Sentencing Hearing Transcript — United States v. Monica Faye BarnesEntry 64 · CourtListener docket 200166
- Limited Notice of Appearance — United States of America v. Monica Faye Barnes, No. 5:23-CR-94-D-2Entry 65 · CourtListener docket 200166
- —Entry 66 is listed under More documents below
- Memorandum in Support of Motion for Sentence Reduction — United States v. Monica Faye Barnes (E.D.N.C.)Entry 67 · CourtListener docket 200166
- —Entries 68 and 70–72 are not in the archive; entry 69 is listed under More documents below
- Criminal Session Commencing On February 14, 2024 — The Honorable James C. Dever III — Eastern District of North Carolina, RaleighEntry 73 · CourtListener docket 200165
- Sentencing Memorandum — United States v. Dontrell BarnesEntry 74 · CourtListener docket 200165
- —Entry 75 is not in the archive; entry 76 is listed under More documents below
- Judgment in a Criminal Case — United States v. Dontrell BarnesEntry 77 · CourtListener docket 200165
- —Entry 78 is not in the archive; entries 79–82 are listed under More documents below
- Fourth Circuit Order Dismissing Appeal — United States v. Monica Faye Barnes (E.D.N.C.)Entry 83 · CourtListener docket 200166
- —Entry 86 is not in the archive; entries 84–85 are listed under More documents below
- Transcript of Arraignment and Guilty Plea — United States v. Dontrell BarnesEntry 87 · CourtListener docket 200165
- —Entry 89 is not in the archive; entry 88 is listed under More documents below
- Sentencing Hearing Transcript — United States v. Dontrell BarnesEntry 90 · CourtListener docket 200165
- —Entries 91 and 93 are not in the archive; entries 92 and 94–96 are listed under More documents below
- Order Denying Motion for Sentence Reduction as Moot — United States v. Monica Faye Barnes (E.D.N.C.)Entry 97 · CourtListener docket 200166
- —Entry 98 is not in the archive
- Fourth Circuit Opinion — United States v. Dontrell BarnesEntry 99 · CourtListener docket 200165
- —Entries 100–102 are listed under More documents below
- Petition for Action on Supervised Release — United States v. Dontrell BarnesEntry 103 · CourtListener docket 200165
- Petition for Action on Supervised Release — United States v. Monica Faye BarnesEntry 104 · CourtListener docket 200166
More documents from this case’s dockets
49 more documents linked to this case’s dockets are in the archive and not in the docket above.
- Exhibit A — To the Honorable Judge James C. Dever III (Case 5:23-cr-00094-D, Document 44-1)PDF
- undatedCriminal Information — United States v. Monica Faye Barnes (Dkt. 5)PDFCriminal Information charging a conspiracy to defraud the PPP in the name of Minnie's Banana Cups, Case 5:23-cr-00094-D, Document 5.
- undatedConsent Preliminary Order of Forfeiture — United States v. Monica Faye Barnes (Dkt. 14)PDFConsent preliminary order of forfeiture for a $94,791.00 money judgment against Monica Faye Barnes, Case 5:23-cr-00094-D, Document 14.
- undatedWaiver of an Indictment — United States v. Monica Faye Barnes (Dkt. 18)PDF
- undatedConsent to Proceed Before a United States Magistrate Judge — United States v. Monica Faye Barnes (Dkt. 21)PDFDefendant's consent to a magistrate judge for arraignment and plea, Case 5:23-cr-00094-D, Document 21, filed April 26, 2023.
- undatedOrder Setting Conditions of Release — United States v. Monica Faye Barnes (Dkt. 22)PDFOrder setting conditions of release with advice of penalties, Case 5:23-cr-00094-D, Document 22, filed April 26, 2023.
- undatedUnited States of America vs. Monica Faye Barnes — Eastern District of North CarolinaPDF
- undatedNotice of Appeal — United States v. Monica Faye Barnes (Dkt. 49)PDFNotice of appeal to the Fourth Circuit from the July 28, 2023 judgment, Case 5:23-cr-00094-D, Document 49, filed August 11, 2023.
- undatedAppeal Transmittal Sheet — USA v. Monica Barnes (Eastern District of North Carolina, 08/14/23)PDF
- undatedFourth Circuit No. 23-4525, Case Opened on Appeal — United States v. Monica Faye Barnes (Document 53)PDF
- undatedFourth Circuit Order — United States v. Monica Faye Barnes (Dkt. 54)PDF
- undatedFourth Circuit Order — United States v. Monica Faye Barnes (Dkt. 56)PDFFourth Circuit order appointing Robert Lonnie Cooper on appeal, Case 5:23-cr-00094-D, Document 56, filed August 18, 2023.
- undatedMotion for Reduction of Sentence (Amendment 821) — United States v. Monica Faye BarnesPDF
- undatedIndividualized Needs Plan, Initial Classification — No. 5:23-cr-00094-D (Document 67-1)PDF
- undatedMotion to Seal — United States v. Monica Faye Barnes (Eastern District of North Carolina, 12/12/23)PDF
- undatedOrder to Seal — United States v. Monica Faye Barnes (Dkt. 69.1)PDF
- undatedFourth Circuit Judgment — United States v. Monica Faye Barnes (Dkt. 84)PDF
- undatedFourth Circuit Mandate — United States v. Monica Faye Barnes (Dkt. 85)PDF
- undatedFourth Circuit Order — United States v. Monica Faye Barnes (Dkt. 88)PDF
- undatedOrder to Seal — United States v. Monica Faye Barnes (Dkt. 96)PDF
- Stafford Act Declarations for COVID-19 FAQ — Congressional Research Service, R46326 (April 22, 2020)PDF
- undatedNotice of Related Cases — United States v. Monica Faye Barnes et al. (Eastern District of North Carolina, 03/22/23)PDF
- undatedWaiver of an Indictment — United States v. Dontrell Barnes (Dkt. 29)PDFWaiver of an indictment (form AO 455) in United States v. Dontrell Barnes, Case 5:23-cr-00094-D, Document 29, filed May 24, 2023.
- undatedConsent to Proceed Before a United States Magistrate Judge — United States v. Dontrell Barnes (Dkt. 31)PDFConsent to proceed before a magistrate judge on arraignment and plea, Case 5:23-cr-00094-D, Document 31, filed May 24, 2023.
- undatedOrder Setting Conditions of Release — United States v. Dontrell Barnes (Dkt. 32)PDFOrder setting conditions of release (forms AO 199A-C) with advice of penalties, Case 5:23-cr-00094-D, Document 32, filed May 24, 2023.
- undatedDocument 42PDFUnopposed motion to extend the PSR objections deadline to September 18, 2023 and continue sentencing, Case 5:23-cr-00094-D, Document 42.
- undatedOrder — United States v. Dontrell Barnes (Dkt. 42.1)PDF
- undatedOrder — United States v. Dontrell Barnes (Dkt. 43)PDF
- undatedUnopposed Motion to Continue Sentencing — United States v. Dontrell Barnes (Dkt. 59)PDFUnopposed motion to continue sentencing until the January 2024 term, Case 5:23-cr-00094-D, Document 59, filed September 25, 2023.
- undatedOrder — United States v. Dontrell Barnes (Dkt. 59.1)PDF
- undatedOrder — United States v. Dontrell Barnes (Dkt. 60)PDF
- undatedThe White House, March 13, 2020 — The Honorable Chad F. Wolf, Steven T. Mnuchin and Alex M. Azar IIPDF
- undatedCharacter Reference for Dontrell Barnes — Hunter Stephens, H2GO General Manager (02/09/2024)PDF
- undatedLetter of Recommendation for Mr. Barnes — Matyre L. Knight (February 12, 2024)PDF
- undatedOrder to Surrender — United States v. Dontrell Barnes (Dkt. 76)PDFOrder to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons, Case 5:23-cr-00094-D, Document 76, filed February 22, 2024.
- undatedNotice of Appeal — United States v. Dontrell Barnes (Dkt. 79)PDFNotice of appeal to the Fourth Circuit from the judgment entered February 27, 2024, Case 5:23-cr-00094-D, Document 79.
- undatedAppeal Transmittal Sheet — USA v. Dontrell Barnes (Eastern District of North Carolina, 03/07/24)PDF
- undatedFourth Circuit No. 24-4139, Case Opened on Appeal — United States v. Dontrell Barnes (Document 81)PDF
- undatedFourth Circuit Order — United States v. Dontrell Barnes (Dkt. 82)PDF
- undatedMotion to Seal — United States v. Dontrell Barnes (Eastern District of North Carolina, 06/20/24)PDF
- undatedOrder to Seal — United States v. Dontrell Barnes (Dkt. 92.1)PDF
- undatedRecord Request — United States v. Dontrell BarnesPDF
- undatedFourth Circuit Order — United States v. Dontrell Barnes (Dkt. 95)PDFFourth Circuit order granting counsel's motion to withdraw and appointing Christopher Edwards, Case 5:23-cr-00094-D, Document 95.
- undatedFourth Circuit Judgment — United States v. Dontrell Barnes (Dkt. 100)PDF
- undatedFourth Circuit Mandate — United States v. Dontrell Barnes (Dkt. 101)PDF
- undatedFourth Circuit Mandate — United States v. Dontrell Barnes (Dkt. 102)PDF
- undatedFourth Circuit Order — United States v. Dontrell Barnes (Dkt. 105)PDF
- undatedOrder to Seal — United States v. Dontrell Barnes (Dkt. 106)PDF
Court, dates and docket numbers are as recorded on the filings.