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OFFICE OF THE STATE'S ATTORNEY
LAKE COUNTY, ILLINOIS
ERIC F. RINEHART
STATE'S ATTORNEY
May 27, 2021
For Immediate Release
Contact: Jim Newton
(224) 374-2376
jnewton@lakecountyil.gov
Man Sentenced To 19 Years in Prison On Weapon And Drug Charges, But He Wasn't In Court To Hear It
Wanted on Warrant - Brian A. Yarbor
(Lake County, IL) - A Zion man, who skipped out on the final day of his trial, and who hasn't been seen since, was sentenced in absentia to 19 years in prison Wednesday on drug and weapon charges.
Brian A. Yarbor was arrested on September 3, 2020, following a search of his home that turned up several grams of cocaine and a loaded .40 caliber semi-automatic gun that had been reported stolen in Zion weeks before.
Yarbor was charged with manufacturing and delivery of cocaine and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, and had faced a sentencing range of 6 to 30 years. Yarbor posted bond and was freed from jail prior to his March 2021 trial.
While Yarbor attended the first day of his trial, which comprised of jury selection, opening statements, and testimony, he did not appear the next day to hear closing arguments. Yarbor was also not present when the jury announced its guilty verdict.
After the verdict, Lake County Circuit Judge Daniel Shanes issued a warrant for Yarbor’s arrest. The trial was the first in-person jury trial of 2021, and jurors were socially distanced under Covid-19 safety measures.
Yesterday, Judge Shanes sentenced Yarbor to 19 years in prison, to be served at 50 percent. The warrant remains active as Yarbor failed to appear for the sentencing and remains on the lam.
Assistant State’s Attorney Donald Tyer prosecuted the case, and State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart praised Tyer for his work under difficult and unusual circumstances.
“I’m proud of our team on this case, and Mr. Tyer in particular. He was able to successfully try this case to a jury under tough pandemic conditions,” Rinehart said.
“Separate from the underlying weapons offense, Mr. Yarbor's decision to evade the courts during the sentencing phase of this case further justifies a lengthy prison sentence," the state’s attorney said.
Because Yarbor was out on bond when he disappeared, prosecutors said he cannot be charged with escape. If he is found, Yarbor will be placed under arrest and transported to the Illinois Department of Corrections to serve his sentence.
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Lake County State's Attorney's Office
18 N. County Street
Waukegan, IL 60085
Phone: (847) 377-3000
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