An ex-Nassau County corrections officer was convicted Thursday of extorting sexual favors from female inmates at Nassau County jail while he was a point man for jailhouse complaints.
A jury found Mark Barber guilty of criminal sexual act, official misconduct, receiving reward for official misconduct, sexual abuse and forcible touching. He was acquitted of third-degree rape and stalking.
Prosecutors said that the 50-year-old Levittown man was the grievance officer for the Nassau County Correctional Center’s female inmates, handling their complaints about medical care and quality-of-life issues.
Instead, he engaged in various inappropriate relationships with some of the women between August 2007 and March 2009.
He provided cigarettes and private phone calls and engaged in sexual activity with the inmates, targeting those who had histories of drug abuse, prostitution or mental health treatment.
His position gave him unique access to inmates and the jail that helped him conceal his crimes.
He was hired by the jail in December 1987 and became a grievance officer in December 2005. He was fired Dec. 30, 2009.
The investigation into Barber began in March 2009 after a female inmate reported that Barber tried to kiss her while she was assigned to work under his supervision.
He faces up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced Sept. 28.