South Bend police officer accused of having sex with a minor due in court

SOUTH BEND, Ind.,--Timothy Barber, The South Bend Police officer charged with child seduction, misconduct, public indecency and public nudity is back in court Monday morning.

Last October, the 36-year-old was accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a 16-year-old girl.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Barber used his position to pressure the 16-year-old into having sex with him.

After meeting the victim last July, Barber continually showed up to the victim’s workplace and made her uncomfortable. On multiple accounts throughout the summer, Barber picked up the victim and took her to a secluded place to have sex.

On two accounts, he picked her up in his squad car and took her to a secluded areas and had sex with her. A GPS record of his squad car obtained by investigators showed that Barber was parked in those secluded areas and drove to the victim’s parents’ house. He also pulled up in the drive-thru of her workplace and exposed himself in uniform.

The victim’s parents later learned of these acts and contacted Mishawaka Police.

Barber was placed on unpaid leave from the SBPD in October 2021. If found guilty, Barber will be fired from the police department.

He was charged with two counts of child seduction, two counts of official misconduct, public indecency and public nudity. He was arraigned in October and placed on bond.

In December, it was discovered that Barber had a history of working with teens running youth group activities.

Barber is scheduled for a status conference hearing at 9 am Monday morning.