Press Release

Man Sentenced to Serve 18 Years for Abusing Minor

July 12, 2013

On July 12, 2013, 20 year old Derek Barr was sentenced to serve 18 years in prison for sexually abusing a seven year old. Barr’s conviction and sentence stem from an incident in September 2012. Barr entered the bedroom of a seven year old relative and molested her as she slept in her bed. The child reported the incident to her mother who found Barr in her home.

The child’s mother immediately called 911 and Anchorage Police promptly responded. The Anchorage Police Crimes Against Children Unit, led by Detective Chris Thomas, investigated the crime. The Alaska State Crime Detection Laboratory conducted DNA analysis on evidence that linked Barr to the child.

When Barr is released from prison, he will be on probation for 10 years and will be required to register as a sex offender for 15 years.

CONTACT: Assistant District Attorney Jenna Gruenstein @ (907) 269-6300 at the Anchorage District Attorney’s Office.

# # #

Department Media Contacts: Communications Director Patty Sullivan at patty.sullivan@alaska.gov or (907) 269-6368. Information Officer Sam Curtis at sam.curtis@alaska.gov or (907) 269-6269.