HOUSTON COUNTY, Ga. — A Houston County man was sentenced to 25 years in prison without parole on Monday after pleading guilty to aggravated sexual battery, according to a press release from the Houston County District Attorney's Office.
The release said Austin Mitchell Barber, 39, was charged based on allegations of sexual abuse on a 12-year-old child. Barber, according to the release, sexually abused the child around 2020 during the pandemic lockdowns and continued to do so a few years after.
"This case is a classic example of childhood sexual abuse. It’s almost always the person you least expect," Assistant District Attorney Justin Duane said. "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."
Barber, according to the release, pleaded guilty on Monday. After his 25-year sentence, which he'll serve without parole, he'll be required to register as a sex offender.
Following his release from prison, they say Barber will have to abide by sex offender conditions of probation for the rest of his life.
"Although we cannot undo what has been done, we can take find solace in knowing a sexual predator is off the streets of Houston County," District Attorney William Kendall said.
13WMAZ have reached out for further details on Barber's arrest. We will update the story as more information becomes available.