A Durango man has been sentenced to 2½ years in federal prison for illegally possessing six firearms after having been convicted of domestic violence.

In a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Dennis Yarbrough, 49, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm following the conviction of domestic violence. The plea agreement called for a stipulated 30-month prison sentence. He was sentenced Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Robert Blackburn.

In 2019, Yarbrough was convicted of physical domestic violence in La Plata County. As part of that adjudication, he was not allowed to possess firearms. But in 2021, law enforcement found Yarbrough in possession of six firearms, including a semi-automatic firearm capable of accepting a large-capacity magazine, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment against Yarbrough for possession of a firearm following a domestic violence conviction. After his arrest, Yarbrough violated a federal no-contact order by contacting the victim of domestic violence in an effort to influence her testimony in the weapons violation case, according to the release.

“Victims of domestic violence need protection, safety and support,” said U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan, in the release. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecutes abusers who place victims of domestic violence at risk by illegally possessing firearms.”

The case was investigated by U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, which worked in partnership with the Durango Police Department.

“Given that Yarbrough violated an order of protection in an effort to influence testimony shows his disregard for the law, and we’re gratified he will be behind bars,” said Ryan L. Spradlin, special agent in charge for Homeland Security Investigations in Denver.

shane@durangoherald.com