Local News

Florida Drifter Accused of Taking Indecent Liberties with Cary Girl He Met Online

Posted Updated

CARY — A drifter is accused of taking indecent liberties with a teenage girl he met on the Internet.

Cary Policesay Gene Junior Barber, 37, came to the Triangle after striking up an Internet relationship with a teen-age girl. They say he hitchhiked to Cary from Florida several weeks ago.

Barber was found with the girl by her parents in the girl's home.

"I think they did show good restraint when they found out someone was in the house," says Capt. Jim Carver of the Cary Police Department.

After arriving here, Barber set up camp in the woods just off Cary Towne Boulevard. Police say he lived in a tent just a quarter mile fromAdams Elementary Schoolfor several weeks.

"We don't think he was a threat to anybody else. He came up here specifically because of the relationship he developed with this young lady. And we don't have any indication he was up here for any other reason," says Carver.

But a parent who also teaches at the school expresses concern.

"He could [have] attacked anybody, especially if he had seen a nice young lady outside with some group of kids. He could easily grab her and you know take her away," says Patricia Armstrong.

School officials alerted police to the tent several weeks ago. Police removed the tent, but Barber remained in the area.

Lakeland, Fla. authorities say Barber has a prior record which includes passing bad checks and indecent exposure.

Police say there is no evidence that Barber had contact with any other minors.

 Credits 

Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.