Norwich man charged with sex attack on social worker
NORWICH –The Norwich Police charged a city resident with a number of crimes Friday after he allegedly assaulted and sexually accosted a social worker sent to visit his children.
Officers arrested 26-year-old Shawn Fowlston of 58 Birdsall St., Norwich, Friday afternoon and charged him with first degree sexual abuse, a D class felony, forcible touching, second degree unlawful imprisonment, third degree assault and fourth degree criminal mischief, misdemeanors.
Appearing briefly in Norwich City Court Tuesday, Fowlston waived his right to a felony hearing and is now scheduled to go before a Chenango County grand jury.
First Assistant District Attorney Stephen M. Dunshee said the victim in the case was a “social worker visiting the defendant’s home to meet with his children.”
Dunshee explained the victim was working for a local organization and was scheduled to meet with the defendant’s four and six year-old children in relation to a school program. During the visit, Dunshee claims Fowlston, who is married, engaged the victim in “suggestive conversation.”
According to the felony complaint filed by authorities, Fowlston lost control at some point during the incident and grabbed the woman, ripping her shirt, covering her mouth and sexually molesting her. Dunshee also said that during the struggle, Fowlston kept her from leaving the residence.
Police Chief Joseph Angelino said the woman escaped the encounter using “verbal de-escalation, that convinced the defendant to allow her to leave.”
Police were then contacted and later arrested Fowlston.
During his appearance in court, Fowlston’s defense attorney, Gina Blasedale, asked the court to lower her client’s bail from $25,000 to $5,000. She said Fowlston was remanded on $25,000 cash bail by City Court Judge James Downey on Friday even through the District Attorney’s Office only requested $5,000 bail.
She argued Fowlston was in need of psychological treatment and should be released so he could seek medical help. She told the judge her client had previous emotional issues including attempted suicide and was “impulsive.”
“He needs to be on some medication,” said Blasedale. “We’re asking that the district attorney’s original request for bail, I think it was $5,000, be honored judge.”
As Downey considered a reduction in the bail, Dunshee objected.
“That’s correct your honor, we did ask for $5,000 bail on Friday, but since that time I’ve had an opportunity to become more familiar with the case and briefly spoke to the victim later that Friday. She’s terrified and defendant’s impulsive behavior concerns us,” he said, asking for the $25,000 bail to remain.
Doweny remanded Fowlston back to the Chenango County Correctional Facility in lieu of $25,000 cash bail and the case was handed over to the Chenango County Court.
Officers arrested 26-year-old Shawn Fowlston of 58 Birdsall St., Norwich, Friday afternoon and charged him with first degree sexual abuse, a D class felony, forcible touching, second degree unlawful imprisonment, third degree assault and fourth degree criminal mischief, misdemeanors.
Appearing briefly in Norwich City Court Tuesday, Fowlston waived his right to a felony hearing and is now scheduled to go before a Chenango County grand jury.
First Assistant District Attorney Stephen M. Dunshee said the victim in the case was a “social worker visiting the defendant’s home to meet with his children.”
Dunshee explained the victim was working for a local organization and was scheduled to meet with the defendant’s four and six year-old children in relation to a school program. During the visit, Dunshee claims Fowlston, who is married, engaged the victim in “suggestive conversation.”
According to the felony complaint filed by authorities, Fowlston lost control at some point during the incident and grabbed the woman, ripping her shirt, covering her mouth and sexually molesting her. Dunshee also said that during the struggle, Fowlston kept her from leaving the residence.
Police Chief Joseph Angelino said the woman escaped the encounter using “verbal de-escalation, that convinced the defendant to allow her to leave.”
Police were then contacted and later arrested Fowlston.
During his appearance in court, Fowlston’s defense attorney, Gina Blasedale, asked the court to lower her client’s bail from $25,000 to $5,000. She said Fowlston was remanded on $25,000 cash bail by City Court Judge James Downey on Friday even through the District Attorney’s Office only requested $5,000 bail.
She argued Fowlston was in need of psychological treatment and should be released so he could seek medical help. She told the judge her client had previous emotional issues including attempted suicide and was “impulsive.”
“He needs to be on some medication,” said Blasedale. “We’re asking that the district attorney’s original request for bail, I think it was $5,000, be honored judge.”
As Downey considered a reduction in the bail, Dunshee objected.
“That’s correct your honor, we did ask for $5,000 bail on Friday, but since that time I’ve had an opportunity to become more familiar with the case and briefly spoke to the victim later that Friday. She’s terrified and defendant’s impulsive behavior concerns us,” he said, asking for the $25,000 bail to remain.
Doweny remanded Fowlston back to the Chenango County Correctional Facility in lieu of $25,000 cash bail and the case was handed over to the Chenango County Court.
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