Kewon Yarbrough, Gun Possession, Vermont 2024

BURLINGTON, VT – Kewon Yarbrough, 38, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced to 27 months for knowingly possessing a firearm despite a lengthy and disturbing criminal history riddled with domestic abuse convictions. U.S. District Judge William K. Sessions III handed down the sentence on March 21, 2024, followed by a 3-year term of supervised release. Yarbrough pleaded guilty to the charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm – a charge that carries significant weight given his past.

Court records paint a chilling picture of Yarbrough’s pattern of violence. He boasts seven prior felony convictions, including at least one for a domestic violence offense in Oklahoma. Beyond that, he’s also been convicted of a misdemeanor domestic violence charge in the Sooner State. In 2013, Oklahoma prosecutors pursued four domestic violence cases against Yarbrough – three felonies and one misdemeanor. While the felony charges were ultimately dropped due to a lack of witness participation, the resulting revocation of a suspended sentence landed him a five-year prison term.

The abuse didn’t stop there. Four separate women filed domestic abuse protective orders against Yarbrough in 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2016, demonstrating a consistent pattern of controlling and violent behavior. More recently, in 2019 and 2022, he was charged with felony Domestic Abuse by Strangulation in Oklahoma – a particularly heinous crime. Both of those cases were dismissed, one due to a missing witness and the other with no explanation listed on the court docket. Dismissals don’t erase the allegations, and they certainly don’t erase the fear experienced by his alleged victims.

Federal authorities say Yarbrough’s possession of a firearm, given his history, posed a clear danger to the public. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) led the investigation, working in collaboration with the Killington Police Department and the Vermont State Police. U.S. Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest praised the teamwork, highlighting the importance of coordinated efforts in tackling gun violence.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Corinne Smith prosecuted the case, while Steven Barth served as Yarbrough’s defense counsel. This case is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program focused on reducing violent crime and gun violence through community partnerships and targeted enforcement. The program aims to foster trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve, while prioritizing strategic interventions.

While 27 months is a significant sentence, it remains to be seen whether it’s enough to break the cycle of violence surrounding Kewon Yarbrough. His history suggests a deeply ingrained pattern of abuse, and the fact that multiple cases were dismissed raises questions about witness intimidation and the challenges of prosecuting domestic violence. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments.

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