Austin Man Sentenced to 24 Years for Exploiting Teen Boys Online

An Austin resident has been handed a significant sentence following his conviction for sexually exploiting and attempting to kidnap a minor. Barton, a registered sex offender, was found guilty of these charges after traveling from Florida to Coshocton County, Ohio, where he met and exploited a 15-year-old girl from Ohio ²³⁴.

The arrest of Barton came as a shock to many, occurring at John Glenn International Airport in Columbus, Ohio, as he attempted to board a flight back to Florida with the girl ³⁴. During his time with the minor, Barton engaged in sexual conduct with her and took sexually explicit photographs ³⁴.

U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II highlighted the severity of Barton’s actions, stating that he poses a grave and ongoing threat to minors ³⁴. This assessment was further supported by the fact that Barton had an outstanding parole warrant from Texas, stemming from a previous conviction for online solicitation of a minor ³⁴.

Barton’s case gained additional complexity due to his method of operation. He had posed as a teenage girl online to exploit and extort teen boys ¹, showcasing a pattern of behavior that extended beyond just one victim. His guilty plea was entered in February 2026, marking a significant milestone in the legal proceedings against him ³⁴.

This case underscores the dangers faced by young people online and the importance of vigilance in protecting minors from exploitation. It also highlights the cross-state nature of such crimes, with Barton traveling from Florida to Ohio to carry out his offenses.

What we know

• - The victim is a 15-year-old girl from Ohio ²³⁴
• - Barton was found guilty of sexual exploitation of a minor and attempted kidnapping of a minor ³⁴
• - Barton traveled from Florida to Coshocton County, Ohio, to meet and exploit the girl ³⁴
• - The arrest occurred at John Glenn International Airport in Columbus, Ohio, as Barton attempted to board a flight to Florida with the girl ³⁴
• - Barton engaged in sexual conduct with the minor and took sexually explicit photos of her ³⁴
• - U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II stated that Barton is a registered sex offender and poses a grave and ongoing threat to minors ³⁴
• - Barton had an outstanding parole warrant from Texas related to a previous conviction for online solicitation of a minor ³⁴
• - Barton's guilty plea was made in February 2026 ³⁴
• - Barton posed as a teenage girl online to exploit and extort teen boys ¹