A Zion man skipped his own trial on drug and weapon charges and was sentenced to 19 years in prison on Wednesday. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.
Brian A. Yarbor, 37, of Zion, was arrested on September 3 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.
Yarbor posted bond and was freed from jail prior to his March 2021 trial where was facing a sentencing range of 6-30 years.
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, prosecutors said.
Yarbor was also not present when the jury announced its guilty verdict. The trial was the first in-person jury trial of 2021.
After the verdict, Lake County Circuit Judge Daniel Shanes issued a warrant for Yarbor’s arrest.
Shanes sentenced Yarbor on Wednesday to 19 years in prison, which will be served at 50%. The warrant remains active as Yarbor failed to appear for the sentencing, prosecutors said.
Assistant State’s Attorney Donald Tyer prosecuted the case and Lake County 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,” Rinehart said.
Prosecutors said that Yarbor cannot be charged with escape because he was out on bond when he disappeared.
Once Yarbor is found, will be placed under arrest and transported to the Illinois Department of Corrections to serve his sentence, prosecutors added.