Austin man charged in sexual abuse of girl
Published 8:03 am Wednesday, October 11, 2017
A man who allegedly sexually abused an underage girl regularly over the past four years appeared Monday in Mower County District Court.
Andres Subia Barrera, Jr., 42, of Austin is charged with eight felony counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of failing to register as a predatory offender.
According to court records, the alleged victim and a female relative met with police and told them that the girl, 14, had been sexually assaulted by Barrera, the relative’s boyfriend.
She also said the assaults occurred repeatedly over the past four years. Barrera went to prison for domestic assault by strangulation in 2015, but the girl said the abuse continued after his release.
The girl told police she was about 11-years old when the abuse started, and that Barrera would inappropriately touch her when they were alone. She said she threatened to tell if he did not stop the first time and he told her “bad things were going to happen” if she did. She also said she would try to push him away, but he would hold her down while he did it.
She said at no point did she have sexual intercourse with him or perform sexual acts on him.
The girl talked about the abuse with a friend, who then encouraged her to tell someone.
The girl spoke to the female relative, who then confronted Barrera, who said the girl was “lying,” after which he left her residence. The relative told police she never suspected the abuse was taking place.
The abuse was reported in August, after which a warrant was issued for Barrera’s arrest.
A review of Barrera’s criminal record shows prior convictions for theft, domestic assault and third-degree assault.
Barrera is scheduled to appear in court again on Oct. 23.