Man indicted on 12 sex abuse charges

By Staff
Jonathan Willis
A Vina man has been indicted on a dozen sexual abuse charges.
Buddy Wes Barker, 74, of 375 Franklin 32 in Vina, has been charged with 12 counts of first-degree sexual abuse and one count of sodomy.
First-degree sexual abuse is a Class C felony and is punishable by one to 10 years in prison, if convicted. Sodomy is a Class A felony.
Officials said Barker is accused of forcibly fondling a teenage boy over a lengthy period of time. The reported incidents had been going on for three to four years, reports indicate.
Investigators said the boy was a family acquaintance of Barker's and authorities became aware of the situation after being contacted by medical officials.
Barker was arrested on July 30. He was released on $150,000 bail on Aug. 1.
Officials said the charges are based on the nature of the crime in that it was done by force, rather than based on the boy's age.