VENTURA, Calif. – District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that charges were filed against Barry Fike (DOB 09/05/55), of Fillmore, for multiple felony counts of sending harmful matter to a child, felony communicating with a child with the intent to commit a sexual act, and arranging a meeting with a minor for a lewd purpose. Fike pled not guilty to all charges at today’s arraignment.

The Ventura County Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force arrested Fike on July 17, 2023. Detectives from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office East County Sexual Assault Unit assisted with the arrest.
Fike is a minister at Fillmore Church of Christ. He previously taught at Oaks Christian High School and has been a visiting professor at Pepperdine but is not currently an instructor at the university.

The Task Force began investigating Fike on July 10, 2023, when he allegedly started communicating online with what he believed to be a 15-year-old girl. The conversations were sexual in nature and Fike allegedly shared explicit photos of himself with the victim, who was actually an undercover officer.
The chatroom Fike was allegedly communicating in did not have any safety features in place to verify a person’s age or to monitor the communication.

“There are many chatrooms online that are not moderated or do not take any steps to limit adult contact with minors,” said Supervising District Attorney Investigator Terrance Dobrosky. “All too often, this exposes children to potential exploitation as predators take advantage of the limited oversight.”

Deputy District Attorney Ben Moreno, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Sexual Assault Unit, is prosecuting the case. Fike is scheduled for an early disposition conference on July 27, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. in courtroom 13 of the Ventura County Superior Court. He is currently in custody with bail set at $150,000.

Further investigation into Fike remains ongoing and anyone with additional information regarding the investigation of Fike, can contact Supervising District Attorney Investigator Terrance Dobrosky at (805) 383-4779.

The Ventura County Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force (VC-CEHTTF) is comprised of investigators and prosecutors with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, Ventura County Sheriff's Office, Simi Valley Police Department, Oxnard Police Department, Ventura Police Department, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office, California Highway Patrol, the FBI, and United States Attorney’s Office. The Task Force is committed to identifying, rescuing, and protecting children from sexual exploitation and abuse through education, enforcement, and through partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies.

The Task Force reminds parents to remain vigilant as to their children’s social media and internet activities to keep them safe from predators. Parents can help protect their children by educating them of the risks and dangers of online interactions with people they do not know and by teaching them healthy internet habits. Parents are encouraged to monitor their children’s internet usage and setting limits.

Case: 2023018280
Defendant Information: Barry Don Fike (DOB 09/05/55) Fillmore

Arrested on:
(4 counts) PC 288.2(a)(2) – Sending harmful matter
PC 288.3(a) – Luring; Contacting a minor with intent to commit sexual offense
PC 288.4(a)(1) – Luring; Arranging meeting with minor for lewd purpose