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Teacher accused of additional indecent liberties with child

CHINA GROVE, N.C. — A former teacher and Boy Scout leader who is accused of fondling boys appeared in court on more charges Friday.
 
James Barringer III is also accused of inappropriately touching a boy in the 1990s.
 
Police said the alleged victim came forward after Barringer's arrest last week.
 
Three victims told investigators Barringer inappropriately touched them during an overnight visit with their Boy Scout troop. 
 
The victims said the alleged fondling occurred over the past two years.
 
On Friday, Channel 9 obtained warrants that stated Barringer admitted to touching the boys during the overnight stay and told investigators "he was just trying to make them feel good."   
 
The warrant also states one of the victims confronted Barringer with a text message reading, "They knew what he did when he thought the victim was asleep."
 
The victim then showed the message to his parent, who went to police.
 
The most recent alleged victim to come forward told police Barringer fondled him during an overnight program at a church in 1995.  
 
The warrant stated the victim told police "their parent told church officials about the incident, which resulted in a meeting with church officials and James Barringer."
 
The warrant said another person came forward to support the alleged victim's claim.  The person stated, "…they recall that Barringer agreed to seek counseling and left the church."
 
The warrant never named the church.
 
Channel 9 went to Barringer's home in Salisbury Friday but no one answered the door.
 
Neighbors were shocked to hear more people are claiming to have been victimized by Barringer.
 
Barringer has since resigned from his position at China Grove Middle School.
 
Representatives from the Boy Scouts of America sent Channel 9 a statement that read in part, "Upon learning of these allegations, we took immediate action to preclude this individual from any future participation in the Scouting program."
 
Barringer is now facing seven counts of indecent liberties with a child.
 
He is expected back in court Aug. 6.

Barringer received a bond of $25,000. He was placed in the Rowan County Detention Center.
 
The investigation continues and anyone with information should contact Detective Sara Benfield 704-216-8739, or Lt. Chad Moose at 704-216-8687.

Read more: Former China Grove teacher faces another child sex charge