PLATTSBURGH — A Rouses Point teenager faces a felony sex charge and other misdemeanors.
Plattsburgh-based State Police said Sebastian M. Barie, 18, was taken into custody at about 2 p.m. Tuesday on charges related to an investigation dating back to a complaint from January of this year and then an incident reported Tuesday.
Bureau of Criminal Investigation Investigator Rebecca Finn said he faces charges in both City of Plattsburgh and the Town of Saranac.
She said an initial investigation stemmed from a report that Barie had access to inappropriate photos of young girls on the Internet.
More charges followed in the investigation when police later learned of his alleged involvement in a sexually physical incident after someone notified police, Finn said.
Barie is charged with criminal sexual act with lack of consent, a felony. The charge pertains to engaging in oral or anal sexual conduct without consent with a person who may be under the age of 17.
He is also charged with third-degree sexual abuse, a misdemeanor, dating back to Jan. 6; and acting in manner injurious to a child younger than 17, also a misdemeanor.
Finn said she could not disclose any further details because the case was still under investigation.
Barie is due in both courts on Monday.
His attorney, Greg LaDuke, questioned the months-long gaps between the reports and the arrest.
LaDuke said the allegations are sloppy and unconstitutionally vague and that he is preparing a motion to dismiss the charges.
He said he is confident that the case will be resolved in Barie’s favor.
Email Miranda Orso: morso@pressrepublican.com
