Barber Pleads Guilty To Federal Charges

Brandon Barber, a once-prominent real estate developer in Northwest Arkansas, is now facing time in a federal prison after admitting his guilt July 31 to three criminal charges.

Barber, 37 and living in New York, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Fort Smith to money laundering, conspiracy to commit bank fraud and conspiracy to commit bankruptcy fraud.

The maximum penalty for the charges is 45 years in jail and $1.5 million in fines.

Barber originally faced 27 federal charges stemming from an indictment handed down March 21. As part of the plea, the remaining 24 charges were dismissed.

Barber, a Jonesboro native and University of Arkansas graduate, will not be sentenced until trials are held for five co-defendants in the case.

They include Barber’s former attorney, Vaughn Knight, 46, of Fayetteville; James Van Doren, 37, an attorney and friend of Barber’s from New York; Jeff Whorton, 45, owner of Whorton Construction in Springdale; Brandon Rains, 31, of Springdale, a former project manager for The Barber Group Inc. who now owns BR Management Services; and David Fisher, an attorney based in Benton County, who was added to the indictment June 6.

Trials for those men, who all face similar charges but have pleaded not guilty, are scheduled Sept. 16 and Oct. 21.