Man who poured gasoline on girlfriend sent to jail.

Derrick Yager appears in court Monday, June 14, via Zoom video conferencing due to COVID-19.

Man who poured gasoline on girlfriend sent to jail.

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

#OceanaCountyCrime

HART — A 32-year-old Shelby man who dumped gasoline on his girlfriend and threatened to burn her, Dec. 22, 2019 at his residence in the Village of Shelby was sentenced to one year in jail Monday, June 14, in 27th Circuit Court.

Derrick Andrew Yager, of 611 Harvey St., pleaded “no contest” to assault with a dangerous weapon, April 19.

Yager was also ordered to two years of probation by Judge Robert D. Springstead.

“This is one of the most horrific things I’ve heard of,” said Judge Springstead. 

Yager underwent a psychological exam and was deemed competent to proceed. 

“Mr. Yager has an affliction of mental illness and he’s been dealing with this for many years,” said defense attorney Timothy Hayes. “The violent outbreaks that he’s had have been a direct result of the mental illness. We did challenge his competency and criminal responsibility in this case. The facts of this case are a direct result of his mental illness.” 

“I’m very sorry for my actions,” said Yager. “I don’t know what came over me. I have used skills over the years of my mental illnesses and that’s why I am currently in DBT class, which is dialectical behavioral therapy, and they help teach us skills on our emotions and how to live a life worth living. I’ve been going to therapy once a week, and I take my medications. I know I have mental illness and I need to stay on top of it. I am truly sorry for my actions.”

Bizon said the prosecution and the defense agreed — in consultation with the victim — to a sentence that is a combination of mental health services and jail.

Yager received credit for one day served in jail. He was ordered to have no contact with the victim. 

“I was on the fence at the time of the plea as to why he shouldn’t go to prison,” said Judge Springstead. “I can’t imagine what was going through his mind to douse this poor young lady with gas and threaten to set her on fire. I think he poses a real serious risk potentially to himself and anybody else if his mental health is not monitored.”

Sentencing guidelines in the case are 12-24 months.

Yager, who was free on bond, was ordered to report to the Oceana County Jail by 3:45 p.m. Monday. He appeared in court via Zoom video conferencing due to COVID-19.

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