Assistant Fire Chief Charged With Soliciting Sex From Minor

NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI — The Assistant Chief of the National Guard Fire Department was arrested Friday and charged with soliciting a minor for sex. Stephen Barker, 49, is accused of offering payment in exchange for a sexual act.

According to Rhode Island State Police, Barker met the young person over Snapchat, which they used to communicate and set up a meeting place.

Barker was arraigned in Third Division District Court and charged with two felonies: patronizing a minor for commercial sexual activity and indecent solicitation of a child. He was released on $5,000 bail and ordered not to have any contact with the minor. He is scheduled to appear in court again on December 2.

If convicted, Barker could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000 for the first charge and up to five years in prison for the solicitation charge.

The National Guard Fire Department is based in Quonset. It is not affiliated with the Quonset Business Park or the Quonset Development Corporation, which is served by the North Kingstown Fire Department.

Correction: A previous version of this story stated that Barker is the Assistant Fire Chief in Quonset due to a misstatement by the Rhode Island State Police.