Sikeston man pleads guilty to drug charges

CAPE GIRARDEAU - A Sikeston man faces a possible prison sentence of 40 years after he pled guilty Monday to drug charges.

Roy Yarber, also known as R.B. Yarber, 72, pled guilty to three felony counts of distribution of five grams or more of cocaine base in U.S. District Court. Yarber agreed to forfeit a 1995 Chevrolet Tahoe and certain real estate in Sikeston to the U.S. government.

At the plea, Yarber admitted that on three separate occasions (April 24, May 9 and Aug. 23, 2002) he sold cocaine base to a confidential informant in Sikeston.

He faces a maximum punishment of 40 years in prison and a $2 million fine on each count. Sentencing is set for April 4.

The case was investigated by the Scott County Sheriff's Department, Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force, Sikeston Department of Public Safety, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration.