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Virginia Beach school employee charged with exploitation of a minor

The Isle of Wight Sheriff's Office said 32-year-old Emmett Lewis Barnard III is an IT specialist with Virginia Beach Public Schools.

An IT specialist with Virginia Beach Public Schools is facing numerous charges related to the exploitation of a minor.

32-year-old Emmett Lewis Barnard III of Norfolk was arrested following an undercover sting involving with the Isle of Wight County Sheriff’s Office working in conjunction with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Bedford County Virginia Sheriff’s Offices Southern Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

According to investigators, Barnard began an Internet chat conversation with who he thought was a girl under the age of 15, but was actually members of the task force.

Barnard allegedly sent sexually explicit photographs and videos of himself to the undercover profile, and also asked that he be sent pictures and videos. 

Investigators said Barnard then decided to travel to Isle of Wight County for the purpose of engaging in sex with the minor.

Barnard was charged with:

  • Two counts of Use of Communications systems to expose adult genitals to a minor
  • One count of Use of a communications system to request minor to expose genitals
  • Three counts of use of a Communications system to request sex acts from a minor

Bernard is currently being held with no bond at Western Tidewater Regional Jail.

The Virginia Beach City Public Schools released the following statement about the incident:

Emmett Barnard, a technology support specialist for Virginia Beach City Public Schools, was arrested last night on charges relating to the use of communications systems to facilitate offenses involving children. Upon being informed of this arrest, VBCPS suspended him without pay. The safety and security of our students is of utmost importance, and we take this responsibility very seriously. We will continue to work closely with police in support of their investigation.

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