DA: jail officer extorted sexual favors from inmates

Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice announced on Dec. 30 that a corrections officer has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of rape, sexual abuse, and forcible touching following allegations by six female inmates that he used his position at the county jail in East Meadow to extort sexual favors.

Mark Barber, 47, of Levittown, was arrested by DA investigators and charged with three counts of Rape in the Third Degree, 10 counts of Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree, three counts of Forcible Touching, Receiving Reward for Official Misconduct in the Second Degree, six counts of Promoting Prison Contraband in the Second Degree, and 35 counts of Official Misconduct. He faces up to 16 years in prison and is due back in court Feb. 4.

Rice said that from approximately August 2007 through March 2009, Barber, acting in his capacity as a grievance officer for the NCCC’s female inmate population, engaged in various ongoing, inappropriate relationships with female inmates. These relationships ranged from providing cigarettes and private phone calls to engaging in various levels of sexual activity with select inmates.

Rice said that Barber would target inmates who had histories of drug abuse, prostitution, or mental health treatment.

Barber began his tenure as a corrections officer at NCCC in December 1987. He began serving as a grievance officer in December 2005.

As a grievance officer, Barber received complaints from inmates about medical care and quality-of-life issues. Grievance officers then interview inmates who file grievances and determine what action, if any, should be taken by the jail. Barber’s position, as well as another responsibility as a fire safety officer, gave him unique and unfettered access to the jail and the inmates confined to it, officials said.

The DA’s Office and the NCCC Internal Affairs Unit began investigating Barber in March 2009 after a female inmate alleged that Barber tried to kiss her while she was assigned to a work detail under his supervision. The investigation revealed that at least five other inmates had inappropriate and, at times, sexual contact with Barber.

The charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.