Houston County man sentenced to 25 years in prison for aggravated sexual battery

Austin Barber sentenced to 25 years without parole, followed by life probation for sexually abusing a child

PERRY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Houston County man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison without parole for aggravated sexual battery against a child, followed by life on probation, according to the Houston County District Attorney’s Office.

39-year-old Austin M. Barber pleaded guilty on Monday, October 7, to one count of aggravated sexual battery. The charges stemmed from sexual abuse against a 12-year-old child during and after the COVID-19 lockdowns, the office said in a news release.

Barber had no prior criminal history.

Barber will be required to register as a sex offender when released. After his release, he will be on probation for life and subject to sex offender probation conditions, according to the release.

Assistant District Attorney Justin C. Duane prosecuted the case, which was investigated by Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Special Agent Adrian Moss, while serving as an investigator with the Houston County Sheriff’s Office Juvenile Division.

“This case is a classic example of childhood sexual abuse,” Duane said. “It’s almost always the person you least expect. Mr. Barber was an otherwise upstanding member of the community with no criminal history. The abuse occurred out of sight, and he used his position of authority over the victim to commit these heinous acts. Luckily, after years of abuse, the child had the courage to finally let someone know what was going on. I am grateful for S.A. Moss’s hard work on this case and for the work of the Crescent House Child Advocacy Center. Hopefully the victim and family can close this chapter of their life.”

Houston County District Attorney William Kendall said he’s proud of law enforcement and prosecutors.

“Although we cannot undo what has been done, we can take solace in knowing a sexual predator is off the streets of Houston County,” he said.