On January 18, 1990, Barry was arrested with a former girlfriend, Hazel "Rasheeda" Moore, in a sting operation at the Vista Hotel by the FBI and D.C. Police for crack cocaine use and possession. The incident – played over and over on television – showing an enraged Barry excoriating FBI informant Rasheeda Moore:
Goddamn setup . . . I'll be goddamn. . .. .. .. .. . set me up.[19]
Barry was charged with three felony counts of perjury, 10 counts of misdemeanor drug possession, and one misdemeanor count of conspiracy to possess cocaine; however, in October 1990, he was convicted on only one charge: a single previous misdemeanor count of possessing cocaine which occurred during November 1989. He was acquitted on one possession charge and a mistrial was declared on the 12 remaining charges.[citation needed]
As a result of his arrest and the ensuing trial, Barry decided not to seek reelection as mayor.[20] In the midst of his campaign for a city council seat, Barry was sentenced to a six-month federal prison term in October 1990.[21]
[edit] 2005 guilty plea
On October 28, 2005, Barry pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charges stemming from an IRS investigation. At the mandatory drug testing at that hearing, he tested positive for cocaine and marijuana. On March 9, 2006, he was sentenced to three years probation for misdemeanor charges of failing to pay federal and local taxes, and continues to receive drug counseling.[22][23]
[edit] 2006 traffic mishap
On September 10, 2006, Barry was stopped by Secret Service Uniformed Division police officers and was charged with driving under the influence, operating a vehicle while impaired, driving an unregistered vehicle, and misuse of temporary tags. He was acquitted of the drunk driving charges on June 13, 2007.[24]
