Man who worked as umpire at local athletic associations accused of child molestation

AFFTON, Mo. (KMOV) - A man who worked as an umpire for two local athletic associations is facing child molestation charges.

Zachary Barebo, 23, is charged with fourth-degree child molestation, second-degree statutory sodomy and first-degree sodomy.

Police say the incidents happened in June. Barebo met a 15 and 16-year-old while he worked at the Affton Athletic Association and began sexually explicit conversations with them separately on Snapchat. Authorities allege he later raped the teens in his car, on parking lots in Crestwood and in unincorporated St. Louis County.

James Jones, a detective with Crestwood Police, said the two teenagers had also worked with the Affton Athletic Association.

The first accuser told officers Barebo had offered her a ride to work.

“On the way to work they stopped and he forced her to have oral sex,” Jones said.

Jones said more charges could follow if other accusers come forward.

“If he’s done it a couple times he’s probably done it more,” he said. “We want to try and get him off the street and make sure he doesn’t have the opportunity to take advantage of a juvenile female again.”

The Affton Athletic Association said in a statement to FirstAlert4 that Barebo had been terminated as soon as the accusations surfaced, and that the organization had been cooperating with police. The statement said, “Affton Athletic Association does not believe that any of the alleged conduct took place on the premises of AAA. Affton Athletic Association strives to provide a safe and enjoyable playing experience for all athletes.”

Barebo had also worked as an umpire at the Arnold Athletic Association, which declined to comment on the charges.

Police are asking any parents who think their children might be victims to call Crestwood police at 314-729-4800.

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