Police: Sex offender failed to update address
KAYE THORNBRUGH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years, 7 months AGO
Kaye Thornbrugh is a second-generation Kootenai County resident who has been with the Coeur d’Alene Press for six years. She primarily covers Kootenai County’s government, as well as law enforcement, the legal system and North Idaho College. | March 18, 2021 1:00 AM
COEUR d’ALENE — Police arrested a registered sex offender who they said failed to update his address after moving.
Richard O. Fowler, 77, of Coeur d’Alene, is charged with failure to verify an address, a felony.
In 2020, Fowler pleaded guilty in accordance with Alford to lewd conduct with a minor under 16.
He was accused of molesting two girls in Bonner County between the ages of 4 and 8 years old.
By entering an Alford plea, Fowler did not admit guilt but acknowledged there was enough evidence to convict him if the case went to trial.
Judge Barbara Buchanan sentenced Fowler to five years fixed and 10 years indeterminate. Buchanan suspended the sentence and placed Fowler on five years of supervised probation.
Police said Fowler listed a Coeur d’Alene motel as his new mailing address in February. A letter sent to the address was reportedly returned as undeliverable.
When contacted by police at the motel on Monday, Fowler reportedly said he did not receive mail at that address. Police arrested him at the scene.
In Idaho, failing to verify an address is a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Judge John Cafferty ordered Tuesday that Fowler be held on $5,000 bail.
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