Charles Nelson Barber Jr. was found guilty as charged with one count of Lewd or Lascivious Battery and one count of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation. The jury returned the guilty
verdict following a two-day trial in Lee County.
In 2022, the defendant picked up a girl while she was walking along a roadway in North Fort Myers. He drove her to the home of one of his friends and sexually battered her. He then took her to a convenience store. While the defendant was outside, the victim went in the store and asked a woman for help. That Good Samaritan took the child out of the store and to safety, then called 911.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office investigated the crime, leading to the identification and arrest of the defendant.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 21, 2023.
Assistant State Attorney Michael Curley and Assistant State Attorney Adam Sullivan prosecuted the case.
Samantha Syoen – Communications Director, State Attorney’s Office