Vincent Barber, a defendant on trial for a series of sex-related felonies and who fled during his trial on July 15, was found guilty and sentenced on July 19 in absentia to life without parole, 20 years for statutory rape and 20 years for child molestation. The statutory rape and child molestation sentences will run concurrently.

Barber, 40, fled the DeKalb County Courthouse on July 15 during a break in the trial proceedings. He is currently still not in custody and a bench warrant has been issued for his arrest. His last known address was in Stone Mountain.

The case was prosecuted by DeKalb County Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Peter Boehm. He heads the DeKalb District Attorney Office’s Crimes Against Children Unit. Boehm was ably assisted by Victim-Witness Advocate Amy Ellis, Investigators Boykin Jones, Tina Fleming, Chris Pasibe and Keith Blander among others.