Exclusive: Chase Middle teacher faces obscenity charge

Jake Kenneth Barker, identified through Rutherford County Schools and other public records as a Chase Middle School teacher, was arrested Sept. 29 on a felony obscenity charge.

The school’s staff directory lists Barker as a sixth-grade math teacher.

A Rutherford County arrest warrant alleges Barker "knowingly" provided an obscene video to a 13-year-old on Sept. 28. The records do not establish whether the child attends Chase Middle or whether the alleged conduct occurred at school.

The complainant is listed as Rutherford County Sheriff's Office Detective Mason Jolley.

Bond was set at $10,000 secured. Public records show he was released from custody at the Polk County Sheriff's Office. Attorney Daniel Russell Talbert is listed as Barker’s retained counsel.

Case 26CR418923-800 is listed as pending. The available public records do not establish Barker’s custody or current employment status.

The defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.