IMPD Officer Accused Of Selling Gun To Felon

INDIANAPOLIS -- An eight-year veteran of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department was arrested Friday afternoon following a three-month investigation.

Police said Officer Jason Barber, 32, sold a handgun to a known felon. He was taken into custody at his home in the 9000 block of Admirals Pointe Drive, police said.

According to court documents, Barber came to the attention of police in March, after a confidential informant and known felon, told them that he had purchased two handguns from Barber.

Police told the informant to buy more guns, and a meeting was arranged in the parking lot of a north side business, according to documents. After the deal was done, the informant allegedly came back to police with a gun.

Barber was arrested on a charge of sale of a handgun to a felon, a class C felony and official misconduct, a class D felony.

Barber was assigned to the dangerous drug section of IMPD's narcotics branch.

Police said Barber worked with two of three officers who were arrested earlier this month in a marijuana distribution case, but said the investigations were not related.

Barber was suspended from the department without pay, pending the outcome of hearings before the IMPD merit board and the charges he faces.