Barr enters new plea deal in 2018 sexual abuse case | News

OTTUMWA – Former Evans Middle School teacher Zachary Barr has entered into a new plea agreement in a 2018 sexual abuse case.

According to court documents filed Aug. 21, Barr, 42, pleaded guilty to enticement of a minor under 16 and sexual exploitation by a school employee, both Class D felonies. Both carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison and fines of up to $10,245.

As part of the settlement, the following charges originally filed against Barr were dismissed: 1 count of sexual exploitation of a minor and 2 counts of distribution or display of obscene material to a minor.

Barr must also register as a sex offender and complete a sex offender treatment program, and have no contact with the victim.

The verdict is scheduled for September 9 at the Wapello courthouse.

Barr was charged in June 2018. Police began investigating Barr after the victim’s mother contacted authorities to report illegal messages Barr had sent to her daughter.

In July 2013, Barr reached a plea agreement with prosecutors, but the agreement was later withdrawn after part of the deal was found to be illegal.