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More than 20 years after a Shasta County jury found Robert Barber guilty of molesting multiple young boys, prosecutors are calling on the public to submit letters opposing his potential early release from prison.

Barber was convicted in 2000 on 32 counts of child molestation involving at least six boys over several years, according to Senior Deputy District Attorney Kelly Kafel, who handled the prosecution. One victim was as young as eight when the abuse started and later confided in his parents in 1997.

“He had violently assaulted these boys three or 400 times in some instances,” Kafel said.

Following initial contact with law enforcement, Barber fled to Mexico, where he remained in hiding for roughly three years, Kafel said. Authorities eventually located him aboard a fishing vessel, and he was returned to the United States after being featured on “America’s Most Wanted.” Six victims later testified during his trial, which ended in conviction and a sentence exceeding 50 years.

Kafel said she maintained close communication with the victims and their families throughout the case.

“We spent hours and hours with those young men building their confidence and helping them get brave enough to face the man who hurt them so badly,” Kafel said.

Barber is now eligible for consideration under California’s Elder Parole Program, which allows certain inmates to seek parole based on age and time served.

“Elder parole says if you're older than 50 years old and you've served at least 20 years of your sentence, that you're eligible for parole no matter how much more time you have left and no matter how heinous the crimes you committed were,” Kafel said.

Kafel said she has reconnected with some victims since learning Barber could be considered for release, adding that they are deeply distressed and working to oppose the possibility of parole for the now 86-year-old inmate.

“While we don't do public outreach, because we handle a lot of cases where people are coming out of prison based on new rules and new laws, this one is important. It's important because Robert Barber is a dangerous man. I don't care how old Mr. Barber is,” Kafel said.

A parole hearing for Barber is set for April 24. Kafel and at least one victim are expected to address the board, while additional letters from victims are being submitted in an effort to prevent his release.

The Shasta County District Attorney’s Office is also urging community members and others affected by Barber’s crimes to send letters to the California Board of Parole Hearings by Friday, April 10.