Barton sentenced in social media sex assault

A Defiance man was sentenced to 9 years in prison after he was convicted of sexual battery and aggravated burglary. 21-year-old Rian Barton is classified as a tier 3 sexual offender and ordered to make $500 restitution to the victim’s family. Two counts of rape were dismissed as part of the plea negotiations.
Authorities alleged that on March 15, Barton went into the home of a young woman he’d recently met through social media and compelled her to submit to sexual conduct.
Barton will be eligible for judicial release after serving 5 1/2 years in prison.
In 2014, Barton also was convicted of importuning, a fifth-degree felony which stipulated that he sent sexual messages via cellphone to a girl under the age of 18.