News Summary
Juan Carlos Barturen, a 46-year-old from Lawrence County, was arrested on multiple charges, including statutory rape and sexual exploitation of a minor. The arrest was made at Nashville International Airport following an investigation prompted by a victim’s report. Barturen faces serious charges and is currently held without bond. Authorities are urging anyone with additional information to come forward.
Lawrence County, Tennessee – Juan Carlos Barturen, a 46-year-old resident of Lawrence County, has been arrested on multiple charges related to the sexual exploitation and rape of a minor. The arrest occurred on May 31 at the Nashville International Airport as part of an ongoing investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI).
The investigation was prompted by a tip received on May 30 from a woman who reported that she had been sexually exploited and abused as a minor. It was subsequently revealed that Barturen had raped and sexually exploited the victim on multiple occasions.
Barturen faces several serious charges, including:
- Statutory rape by an authority figure
- Soliciting sexual exploitation of a minor/exploitation of a minor by electronic means
- Especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor
Currently, Barturen is being held in the Lawrence County Jail and remains in custody without the possibility of bond. The TBI is continuing its investigation and urges anyone who may have additional information or who feels they may also be a victim to come forward by calling 1-800-TBI-FIND or emailing [email protected].
Authorities have noted that Barturen was known to travel frequently between Tennessee and Florida, indicating that there may be further implications for the case in those locations.
Other Related Developments
In an unrelated incident in Nashville, police arrested Brittany Marie Wilson, a woman from Idaho, on charges related to violating parole for past convictions involving sexual abuse, exploitation of vulnerable adults, and video voyeurism. A warrant issued by the Idaho Commission of Pardons and Parole led to her arrest on April 30. Wilson was located by U.S. Marshals in Nashville and is currently held at Davidson County Jail, awaiting extradition to Idaho.
Community Concerns over Sexual Assault
The recent arrest of Barturen comes amid rising concerns about sexual assault in Nashville. Reports indicate that approximately 20% of individuals believe they were drugged prior to being sexually assaulted. One survivor shared their harrowing experience of losing consciousness after accepting a drink from an acquaintance.
The Nashville Sexual Assault Center has responded to these concerns by implementing the “Safe Bar” program, which trains alcohol-serving establishments to recognize and prevent drink spiking. Additionally, the program provides drug test strips to help patrons identify potential tampering with their drinks. As part of these efforts, around 30 bars in the Nashville area have been certified as “Safe Bars.”
Local hospitals and officials are actively working towards improving testing protocols for potential victims of sexual assault, demonstrating the community’s commitment to addressing these serious issues.
Furthermore, there are severe allegations against a Lawrence County couple, Myron Chorbajian, aged 73, and his wife Kathleen Ann Chorbajian, aged 70. They were arrested following an investigation that began in April regarding multiple charges tied to child sexual crimes. This reflects broader concerns surrounding sexual offenses within the community and highlights the ongoing need for vigilance and education on these matters.
The TBI’s ongoing investigation into Barturen’s actions is a reminder of the importance of reporting and addressing sexual exploitation, underscored by the community’s determination to support victims and implement preventive measures against future incidents.
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HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- WSMV: Idaho woman accused of violating parole arrested in Nashville
- WKRN: Nashville man arrested for sexual exploitation of minor
- NewsChannel9: Woman recalls sexual assault in Nashville
- Greenville Online: Greenville pastor and wife arrested in Nashville
- NewsChannel5: Nashville moves to address backlog of sexual assault kit testing
- Wikipedia: Sexual assault
- Google Search: Sexual exploitation of a minor
- Google Scholar: Child abuse reporting
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Sexual exploitation
- Google News: Sexual assault
Author: HERE Nashville
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