By Redaccion
[email protected]
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Barry Don Fike (DOB 09/05/55), of Fillmore, pled guilty on May 29, 2024, to two felony counts: sending harmful matter to a child, and arranging a meeting with a minor for a lewd purpose.
The Ventura County Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force arrested Fike on July 17, 2023. The investigation began July 10, 2023, when Fike started communicating online with what he believed to be a 15-year-old girl. The conversations were sexual in nature and Fike shared explicit photos of himself with the victim, who was actually an undercover officer.
The chatroom Fike communicated in did not have any safety features in place to verify a person’s age or to monitor the communication.
Fike was a minister at Fillmore Church of Christ, and previously taught at Oaks Christian High School and Pepperdine University.
Deputy District Attorney Ben Moreno, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Sexual Assault Unit, prosecuted the case.
«This case is a powerful reminder for parents to stay vigilant in protecting their children online.” Mr. Moreno said. “The defendant was a minister and teacher, showing that no one is above suspicion and trust should not be given lightly when it comes to our children.”
Fike is scheduled to be sentenced on July 15, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 11 of the Ventura County Superior Court.
Case: 2023018280
Defendant Information:
Barry Don Fike (DOB 09/05/55)
Fillmore
Charges pled to:
- PC 288.2(a)(2) – Sending harmful matter
- PC 288.3(a) – Luring; Arranging meeting with minor for lewd purpose
