Washington Post dives deep into SBPD's Timothy Barber, police leniency

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- As part of a nation-wide investigation into sexual misconduct by police in America and the lower-than-average punishments they receive, even after pleading guilty and admitting to offenses, the Washington Post looked into the case of former South Bend police officer Timothy Barber. 

Barber, the SBPD officer who was charged with two counts of child seduction, one count of public indecency, two counts of official misconduct, and one count of public nudity in October of 2021, pled guilty to having an inappropriate relationship with a 16-year-old, and entered a plea agreement in July of 2022 that found him guilty of child seduction and official misconduct.

That plea agreement capped any executed sentence at four years, leaving Barber's victim to believe her abuser would be behind bars for his crimes against her.

During sentencing, Barber read a statement to the judge. After hearing that statement, the judge asked Barber how long he was an officer and why he became a police officer.

Barber told the judge that his father was a pastor and he always wanted to either be in the military or be a police officer. He said he enjoyed the job and worked with a great group of guys.

The judge said Barber's conduct was outrageous, but he wasn't going to sentence him to prison.

Barber was sentenced to four years on the child seduction charge and 18 months on the official misconduct charge to be served concurrently.

However, the sentence was suspended, and he was given four years of probation. 

Barber must register as a sex offender for 10 years.