Crime & Safety
A Former Military School Administrator Pleads Not Guilty
Jeffery S. Barton, of Oceanside, was arrested Thursday evening on suspicion he molested several students under his care while he worked as a school administrator.
Updated: 10/23
A former administrator at a Carlsbad military boarding school accused of sexually assaulting two of his students pleaded not guilty today to 16 forcible sex charges, including oral copulation and sodomy.
Jeffery S. Barton, 55, was ordered held on $3 million bail. He faces life in prison if convicted. The defendant worked at Army and Navy Academy, a college preparatory school, from 1995 until earlier this year. An investigation began in June, when a former student, now an adult, told authorities he was victimized by Barton, Carlsbad police Lt. Marc Reno said. Detectives identified as many as five other alleged victims.
The alleged sexual assaults took place between 1997 and 2001, according to a criminal complaint. Barton will be back in court Oct. 29 for a bail review. A readiness conference was set for Dec. 20 and a preliminary hearing for Feb. 24.
-- City News Service
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