Man wanted for Highland woman’s murder now faces federal charges
By Teresa Auch Schultz tauch@post-trib.com December 27, 2012 2:52PM
Updated: December 27, 2012 6:35PM
A Chicago man already charged in Lake County with killing his pregnant girlfriend also faces federal charges for fleeing police across state lines.
The case against Isiah L. Barker was unsealed Dec. 21 in the U.S. District Court in Hammond. According to the motion to unseal, officials are seeking Barker on a charge of fleeing in interstate commerce to avoid confinement for a criminal charge.
Barker was charged Nov. 1 in Lake County with murdering Cynthia Funches, a Highland woman whose body was found in a large blue plastic storage bin at an empty garage at 10038 S. Normal Ave. in Chicago in June 2011.
She was 20 weeks pregnant at the time of her death, and Barker has also been charged with feticide. Police have not arrested him yet.
A federal complaint against Barker was filed Nov. 5 and remains sealed. However, the motion to unseal the overall case says law enforcement wanted help from the media in tracking down Barker.
