• 
• CLASS
• JOBS
• AUTO
• HOMES

Man found guilty of child porn possession

Photo

Bruce Barker

ELKHORN — The attorney for a rural Elkhorn man found guilty of 14 counts of felony possession of child pornography said he will appeal.

A jury found Bruce T. Barker, 76, guilty Tuesday afternoon of possessing homemade pornography that’s more than 20 years old. Barker’s attorney, Larry Steen, said there was no probable cause for a search warrant because the evidence was “stale.”

“I still strongly feel that’s the case,” Steeber told The Janesville Gazette. “We’re going to pursue that until the cows come home.”

In January 2007, police found about 40 pictures in Barker’s attic at N6632 Bowers Road. Police obtained the warrant after several men came forward and accused Barker of sexually assaulting them when they were children from the late 1960s to the mid-1980s, according to the warrant affidavit.

One of the men came forward after learning Barker might be watching two children in his home, according to court documents.

Barker was arrested January 12, 2007, according to Walworth County Sheriff’s Department records. He was released the next day after posting $10,000 bond.

The bond was reduced to $5,000 in February, according to online court records.

Steen filed a motion saying there was no probable cause because the evidence was “stale.” Judge James Carlson denied the motion in November.

Barker’s sentencing hearing is tentatively scheduled for May 29. He faces a maximum fine of $100,000, 25 years in prison or both on each count.

Barker was not charged with sexual assault of a child because the statute of limitations had expired.

The Gazette was unable to reach Walworth County District Attorney Phil Koss for comment.