11 year-old victim accosted by man for sex

Historic City News has learned that an 11 year-old girl was walking into the Little Champ parking lot at 118 King Street when she was approach by a homeless man — asking for sex.

Police Officer Frank Shipp Police responded to the scene soon after 4:00 Thursday afternoon, making contact with the young girl and her guardian.

According to the police report, 49 year-old Robert Barber came up to the victim and asked her for money.

The young girl asked her guardian if she could give Barber money; the guardian stated “no”. When the girl told Barber she was unable to give him money, Barber reportedly stated he wanted sex and a good “blow job” from her. The young girl left and told her guardian what happened.

Police made contact with Barber down the street from the location where the incident supposedly took place. The victim was able to come to that location and positively identify Barber as the man who approached her asking for sex.

Barber, who stated that he is homeless, was taken into custody. He is charged with lewd or lascivious conduct, a second degree felony, and is being held in the St. Johns County Jail in lieu of $15,000.00 bond.