Bradley Stowell, paroled last month after serving three years on molestation charges, is back in custody, this time for possessing a computer.
Stowell, a former eastern Idaho Boy Scout camp counselor who acknowledged molesting at least two dozen youngsters since 1988, has been living in Boise since being paroled from prison in June.
Stowell, 36, was picked up by his parole officer Tuesday, a few days after Stowell was found to be in possession of a computer, which made access to the Internet possible - a violation of his parole conditions, Idaho Department of Correction spokesman Jeff Ray said.
The computer was found during a home visit to Stowell's Boise apartment by a parole officer July 3 and seized immediately, Ray said.
Stowell also violated his parole by not finding a job, another requirement for his release June 2, Ray said. He said Stowell was allowed to search for jobs on Department of Labor computers.
Stowell likely will remain in custody at least until he can meet with a hearing officer to go over the reported parole violations.
In general, most parole violation cases at that point are referred to the Idaho Commission on Pardons and Parole, which makes the decision on whether to send an inmate back to prison or to reinstate parole, Ray said.
No hearing dates have been set for Stowell, but he will remain either in the Ada County Jail or another secure jail facility until the Parole Board makes a decision some time this summer, Ray said.
Stowell was sent to prison in 2005 after viewing pornography and associating with young children, violations of probation from his 1997 guilty plea to two felony counts of sexual abuse of a minor.
Stowell had served three years of his two- to 14-year-sentence before being paroled June 2. As a condition of his release, he was required to register as a sex offender, get a job, avoid pornography, have no contact with his victims and seek more treatment.
Stowell was originally arrested July 11, 1997, at Camp Little Lemhi in Swan Valley after two brothers filed complaints.
Stowell's molestations have had far-reaching effects, with the Legislature passing several laws championed by the family of the abused brothers, Adam and Ben Steed, to boost sentences and expand victims' rights. The former head of the Grand Teton Council resigned in 2006 after criticism he ignored warnings about abuse in Stowell's past and acted too late in alerting police.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Patrick Orr: 373-6619
The Idaho Statesman is pleased to offer this opportunity to share information and observations about what's in the news. Some comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. We encourage lively, open debate but ask that you remain on topic. Comments that are profane, personal attacks or otherwise inappropriate are subject to removal.
@Nyx.CommentBody@