Judge Sentences Man to 2 Years in Prison for Sexually Abusing His Daughter

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DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt sentenced a man on Sept. 23 to twenty-four months in prison for sexually abusing his teenage daughter.

Jerry Barton was initially charged with first-degree sexual abuse in a domestic violence case that occurred in September of 2019. On March 8, he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of second-degree sexual abuse of a minor for sexually assaulting his 16-year-old daughter. The sentence term for the plea deal is between 18 and 42 months in prison. Barton was released under the high intensity supervision program (HISP) on Feb. 3, 2020.

“I still want a relationship with him down the line,” the victim said during her impact statement Friday. “He is my father and I don’t want him to be sentenced for a long time. I am still confused about everything that is going on.” 

Judge Brandt said she would not give Barton “a slap on the wrist.” 

Judge Brandt took the victim’s wish into consideration, giving Barton a split sentence so that he could continue to get the help he is receiving.

“As a judge, my job is to protect the citizens of DC and there are well-meaning people who come into my courtroom, but that doesn’t mean I am going to allow you to walk out of my courtroom today,” she said.

Barton was sentenced to 24 months in prison with three years of supervised probation and must also register as a sex offender for 10 years within three days of being released. 

“I am confused and I don’t know what to say. I feel terrible and stressed out about it all,” Barton said. “This situation has been prolonged and still, here I am confused about the case. I have remained indoors. I check in with my case managers and I am sorry to the court.”

On Sept. 28, 2019, the 16-year-old victim went over to Barton’s home to retrieve money from him. Upon her entrance into his home, he told her to come into his room where he then asked her what she was willing to do to get the money. 

The victim then felt something on the back of her neck which she assumed was a gun. Barton then forced her to the bed where he removed her clothes and penetrated her vagina with his penis. After the assault, Barton told her to stop being a “crybaby” and to get dressed. 

Barton admitted to having sex with the 16-year-old to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) but indicated to them that it was consensual and denied ever using a gun.

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