BAIRDSTOWN – Village mayor Christopher P. Barringer pleaded not guilty through his attorney in Bowling
Green Municipal Court Monday to a charge of disseminating harmful matter, a misdemeanor, after he
allegedly sent an obscene photograph to a minor via his cellular phone last month.
According to the Wood County Sheriff’s Office, at 8:27 p.m. Dec. 7, a deputy was dispatched to a
residence on North Randolph Street, North Baltimore, in reference to an obscene picture sent on a
cellular phone.
Upon arriving at the residence, the female resident indicated that her 13-year-old stepson had received a
texted picture Dec. 6 at 8:25 p.m. on his cellular phone from Barringer, 52, of male genitals with what
appeared to be a smiley face. A text message had reportedly been sent from Barringer’s phone prior to
the picture stating "You want to see some naked pic’s."
The woman indicated that she knew the picture had been sent from Barringer’s telephone because the two
families are friends and the juvenile had
Barringer in his cellular phone as a contact.
Det. Sgt. Terry James with the Sheriff’s Office indicated that the investigation into the incident has
been ongoing and that Barringer was served with the charges on Friday.
Barringer’s plea was entered Monday when his attorney, James M. Sharp, filed to appear as his lawyer.
Speaking Tuesday, Det. Chuck Below said that in an interview Barringer had reportedly admitted to sending
the image to the victim. He additionally said that a second juvenile male had also been reportedly
texted an obscene photo by Barringer around the same timeframe but was not sure if it was the same image
sent the first victim. He did not believe that the second juvenile male was related to the first.
Barringer’s next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 28 at 8:30 a.m.