A Johnston County man has been sentenced to serve between 50 and 70 years in prison after being found guilty by a jury.
Michael Paige Barber was convicted Friday in Johnston County Superior Court of rape of a child, sex offense with a child, and two counts of taking indecent liberties with a child. Prosecutors said the Barbour, of the 1300 block of Princeton-Kenly Road, Kenly committed the crimes against the child when she was 7 years-old and continued to abuse the young girl through the age of 9. The case was first reported to social workers and the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office in May 2015.
Superior Court Judge Tanya Wallace sentence the 58 year-old man to serve between 50 and 70 years in the NC Department of Corrections.
Barber had previously dated the victim’s mother.
“The Johnston County District Attorney’s Office is grateful to all of the responsible adults and professionals who rescued this child from such awful circumstances,” said Assistant District Attorney Paul Jackson. “We are also grateful to the Jury for recognizing the truth and delivering justice. We will continue to fight against child sexual abuse and work to ensure that those who commit such heinous crimes are never again in a position to prey upon our children.”
