NH parole board limited to 90-day revocation for paroled sex offender facing new charge
By APTuesday, October 5, 2010
NH parole board decries limited power to revoke
CONCORD, N.H. — New Hampshire Parole Board members say they’re outraged they cannot revoke the parole of a convicted child sex offender for more than 90 days, even though he is facing a new charge of stalking a 16-year-old boy.
Forty-five-year-old Frederick Owens was convicted of sexually assaulting a young male teen in 2004.
He had been free on parole but was returned to jail Aug. 30 after he was charged with stalking.
Until this month, the state parole board could have returned Owens to prison for another six years — the balance of his sentence. But a new law limits the board to a 90-day sanction, no matter what the offense.
The 16-year-old who Owens allegedly stalked told board members Tuesday he doesn’t feel comfortable knowing Owens could soon be walking free.
