CHRISTOPHER THOMAS YARBROUGH, 27, of Federal Way, Washington was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 51 months in prison and three years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm. YARBROUGH pleaded guilty November 13, 2009. At sentencing U.S. District Judge Richard A. Jones told him, “On paper I see an individual involved in acts of violence, domestic violence and drug activity.”

According to court records, YARBROUGH was arrested October 2, 2008, in Burien. As YARBROUGH ran from King County Sheriff deputies, a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol fell from his waistband. YARBROUGH had previously been convicted in King County Superior Court of two counts of Robbery and one count of burglary. The convictions were from 2003, and prohibited YARBROUGH from possessing a firearm.

The 51 month sentence will run consecutive to a 25 month sentence YARBROUGH received for a drug conviction in King County Superior Court.

YARBROUGH was prosecuted as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods program. Unveiled in May 2001, Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), is a comprehensive and strategic approach to gun law enforcement. PSN is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in America by networking both new and existing local programs that target gun crime and then providing them with the resources and tools they need to succeed. Implementation at the local level -- in this case, in King County -- has fostered close partnerships between federal, state and local prosecutors and law enforcement.

The case was investigated by the King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF). The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Andrew Colasurdo. Mr. Colasurdo is a Deputy King County Prosecutor, specially designated to handle gun cases in federal court.

For additional information please contact Emily Langlie, Public Affairs Officer for the United States Attorney’s Office, at (206) 553-4110 or Emily.Langlie@USDOJ.Gov.

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