Convicted felon sentenced to 25 years after pleading guilty to 2022 robbery-turned-murder
RUTHERFORD, Tenn. (WMC) - A convicted felon will spend the next 25 years at the Tennessee Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to charges stemming from a deadly robbery-turned-shooting in 2022.
According to District Attorney Frederick Agee, 31-year-old Johnny Yarbrough made his plea in Gibson County Court Thursday morning for charges of second-degree murder, robbery and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
His conviction stems from the 2022 shooting death of a man identified as Joseph Simpson.
DA Agee says Simpson was acquainted with his attackers, which included Yarbrough and two codefendants, Tyler Pierce and Amanda Cathey.
On Nov. 30, 2022, the trio reportedly went to Simpson’s home and robbed him and his roommates at gunpoint. During the heist, a struggle ensued, resulting in Simpson being shot and dying from his injuries.
Authorities say the three suspects fled the scene, but law enforcement later captured them. They also recovered the murder weapon and stolen items from Simpson’s house.
Yarbrough was sentenced to serve 25 years in prison for the murder conviction. He was also sentenced to eight years of probation for the other charges, which will begin after his incarceration is served in its entirety.
DA Agee says both sentences are consecutive to a two-year sentence that Yarbrough is currently serving for felony evading arrest.
He must also complete moral reconation therapy, alcohol and drug counseling, and vocational training while in prison.
“This was a senseless murder committed during the perpetration of a violent robbery. Yarbrough not only violated the sanctity of Mr. Simpson’s home but also needlessly took the victim’s life in pursuit of selfish gain. Our Office is committed to removing such violent offenders to keep our community safe. We are grateful to former Investigator and now Rutherford Police Chief Nick Milan and the Gibson County Sheriff’s Department for their diligent investigation of this case.”
As for Yarbrough’s codefendants, DA Agee says Pierce previously pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, and Cathey is scheduled for a jury trial.
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