The ex-Nassau County jail guard accused of extorting sexual favors from seven female inmates is facing 23 additional charges.
Mark Barber, a former corrections officer who was arrested in December, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to the 80-count indictment at Nassau County court.
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The 48-year-old Levittown man was charged with two counts of third-degree rape, three each of receiving reward for official misconduct and forcible touching, 11 counts of sexual abuse, 18 counts of promoting prison contraband, 40 counts of official misconduct, criminal sexual act, patronizing a prostitute and stalking.
Nassau County prosecutors said Barber, who was a grievance officer for the jail’s female inmate population, provided cigarettes and private phone calls to certain inmates in exchange for sexual activity between August 2007 and March 2009. His former job title—taking complaints from inmates—allowed for unique access to the jail and the inmates, prosecutors added.
Barber allegedly targeted inmates with histories of drug abuse, prostitution, or mental health treatment. Under New York State law, an inmate is incapable of consenting to sex with a correctional facility employee.
“This man was supposed to help these women with their problems, but instead he preyed on their vulnerabilities for his own sick needs,” Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice said. “He terrorized these women by abusing his limited jailhouse power, and for that, he could find himself on the other side of a locked prison cell door.”
Barber was hired as a corrections officer in December 1987 and began serving as a grievance officer in December 2005. He was fired the day he was arrested.
His lawyer maintained his innocence. “We’re going to trial and I intend to win,” said Mineola-based attorney Edward Galison.
Barber faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. He is due back in court Sept. 28.
Barber is free on bail.
