47-year-old pleads not guilty to fondling teen

Published 11:29 am Friday, February 24, 2012

A 47-year-old man who allegedly fondled a 19-year-old man’s genitals pleaded not guilty Thursday in Mower County Court

Terry Lee Barrett, of Austin, faces one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, a felony, and one count of fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct, a gross misdemeanor.

The victim went to police on Feb. 4, saying he had gone to Barrett’s house earlier between 4 and 5 p.m. to drop off squash and apples for the victim’s grandmother, according to a police report. The victim and Barrett had not seen each other for a while and started talking.

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Barrett allegedly asked the victim if he had a boyfriend or girlfriend, and the victim said he planned to stay single for a while, according to the report.

Barrett allegedly came close to the victim at that point and grabbed his genitals, according to the report. The victim told police Barrett asked him, “(Does) this feel normal to you?”

The victim said he froze and didn’t say anything.

Barrett allegedly pressed himself against the victim’s body. According to the report, the victim’s grandmother called Barrett, and Barrett spoke to her while allegedly touching the victim’s chest and sides.

After Barrett hung up, he allegedly kissed the victim on his mouth and groped his genitals, according to the report. Barrett then reportedly grabbed the victim’s hips and started grinding against the victim’s leg, according to the court complaint. The alleged incident ended soon after, when Barrett saw the victim’s grandmother walking toward his home, according to the complaint.

“Maybe you can come over tomorrow and have some fun,” Barrett allegedly told the victim.

The victim told police he believed Barrett was intoxicated.

Barrett’s pre-trial is set for March 30.