A South Bend Police Officer has been arrested on child seduction charges after being accused of sexual misconduct with a minor.
The St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office sent the following information regarding the arrest of SBPD Officer Timothy Barber:
On October 5, 2021, the Mishawaka Police Department was contacted with allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor involving a South Bend Police Officer. Timothy Barber was accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a sixteen (16) year old. The investigation was handed over to the Special Victims Unit.
On October 19, 2021, probable cause was submitted and approved by the St. Joseph County Court where Timothy Barber was formally charged with Count I: Child Seduction, a Level 5 Felony, Count II: Child Seduction, a Level 5 Felony, Count III: Public Indecency, a Class A Misdemeanor, Count IV: Official Misconduct, a Level 6 Felony, Count V: Public Nudity, a Class B Misdemeanor, Count VI: Official Misconduct, a Level 6 Felony.
Mr. Barber was arrested in Elkhart this evening, with assistance from the Elkhart Police Department, the Special Victims Unit and the South Bend Police Department.
Mr. Barber will be arraigned on the formal charges, Wednesday afternoon October 20, 2021 at 1:00 p.m.
Please be advised that the charge filed against this defendant is merely an accusation and that he is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
South Bend Police issued the following response on their Facebook page:
2 comments
I see the harm in our legal system, where a suspects name and picture along with charges are immediately published. In many nations, to protect the innocents, names are NOT published UNTIL the defendant is found guilty. Think, there have been false allegations in the past and present. Once an innocents person is charged, the stigma never leaves
Agree with David