By:Jeff Lipton
A convicted sex offender released back into the Inwood community after serving a sentence for sexual abuse of a 20-year-old woman has been given the high-risk Level 3 status because, authorities said, he could possibly repeat his offense.
Fourth Precinct police sent out a notification of his release, the first such notice that has been received by the Nassau Herald since the Sex Offender Registration Act was signed into law by Gov. George Pataki on July 25, 1995. The act was enacted to assist local law enforcement agencies to protect communities by: requiring sex offenders to register with the state; and providing information to the public about certain sex offenders living in their communities. The act took effect on Jan. 21, 1996.
Charlie Bowman has been given a Level 3, or high-risk label, after being convicted on a charge of sexual contact with an individual greater than 17 incapable of consent in the second degree, a Class A misdemeanor, according to the police notification. But officials could not say why the victim was incapable of consent, even though she was 20 years old.
Bowman, who will turn 42 years old on Nov. 11, was convicted in Nassau County Court on Feb. 15, 2001 and was sentenced to a maximum of one year in jail. His earliest release date was Aug. 28, 2001, the notification stated.
He was registered as a high-risk offender on May 17, 2001 and his residence is listed as 41 Lawrence Avenue in Inwood.
One woman who lives in Inwood said she agreed with the community notification of a convicted sex offender because it is good to know who your neighbors are. I think it's important,said the woman, who added that at one time another man exposed himself to her daughter in their neighborhood. I think the notification is a good idea. It raises people's awareness about what to look out for. Because of the law, the chances of it occurring again are not very good.
You don't need to lead the fox into the henhouse,she added.
According to a spokesperson for the Sex Offender Registry hotline, Bowman was branded with a Level 3 status because he has the highest risk of re-offending. The spokesperson said he did not just move into the Lawrence Avenue residence but was living there when he was arrested as well.
After high-risk sex offenders are released into the community, about 15 agencies are notified by police, including the parks department, local school districts and the media, said Capt. James O'Leary, deputy commanding officer of the Fourth Precinct, who sent out the notification on Bowman in a letter dated Oct. 25.
We're providing the information as a requirement of law, said O'Leary, who joined the Fourth Precinct about a month ago. This is the first one that I've given out.
Bowman, who is also known as Stokie,is described on the notification as a black man, 5-feet-9, 162 pounds, with black hair, brown eyes and has a scar on the eyebrow of his left eye area. He drives a black 1983 Buick.
Officials said they are required to provide the details on high-risk sex offenders to the public but anyone who uses the information to injure, harass, or commit a criminal act against the convicted sex offender may be subject to criminal prosecution.
The state has even provided a Sex Offender Registry Subdirectory, which is maintained by the Division of Criminal Justice Services, for community residents to look up for themselves any sex offenders living in their communities. The phone number is 1-900-288-3838. And for a 50-cent charge, residents can obtain information on up to five convicted sex offenders living in their neighborhood. The site provides public access to the Subdirectory of Level 3 offenders only, but the registry also contains information on Level 1, low-risk offenders, or Level 2, moderate-risk offenders. Callers must be 18 years old and provide their name, address and telephone number. The hotline is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is not open on state holidays.
Sex offenders who were assigned a risk level of 3 on or after Jan. 1, 2000 will be included in the subdirectory. Those arrested or charged with a sex offense are not required to register unless they are convicted. Offenders who were unconditionally discharged before Jan. 21, 1996 also are not required to register.
When the law was first established, critics debated who should be responsible for releasing such information. Initially, school districts were given the option of notifying the community.
