Murrieta, CAβ A convicted sex offender from Murrieta who downloaded and distributed sexually explicit images of young children was sentenced Monday to 12 years in federal prison. Andrew Harrison Fowler, 26, pleaded guilty in March to distribution of child pornography. In exchange for his admission, the U. Attorney's Office dropped a related distribution count, as well as a charge of possession of child porn.
District Judge Virginia Phillips certified the plea agreement and imposed the sentence sought by the prosecution. The defense had argued for a term of 10 years behind bars. In addition to serving time, Phillips ordered Fowler to undergo psychiatric treatment and not to view any form of child porn while in prison or afterward.
He was also directed to register as a lifetime sex offender. Fowler was facing multiple child porn charges in Riverside County Superior Court when he was arrested on the federal allegations in May The county case was dismissed after the federal complaint was filed. Attorney's Office and continued to handle all proceedings that originated under the county's jurisdiction. Fowler came under investigation after his employer contacted his parole officer to report that the ex-con had been accessing child porn while on the job in Corona, according to prosecutors.
The county's Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement unit got involved, procuring a search warrant to scan Fowler's Hotmail account. Attorney's Office spokesman Thom Mrozek. According to the U. Attorney's Office, Fowler served time following his conviction in San Diego County of three counts of statutory rape for his illicit encounters with girls between 13 and 17 years old. He could have faced up to 40 years in prison had the latest case gone to trial and he was convicted of all charges.
City News Service , News Partner. Posted Mon, Jun 27, at pm PT. Find out what's happening in Murrieta for free with the latest updates from Patch. Image via Shutterstock. Community Corner 15h.
