By By MARY-ALLISON LANCASTER Managing editor
Another convicted sex offender has had new charges filed against him after he failed to register in Brewton. This is the second case in recent weeks of a convicted sex offender being charged after failing to notify authorities he had moved.
According to Alabama State Law, it is a Class C Felony for any criminal sex offender to violate any Alabama Com-munity Notifica-tion Act, or to establish a legal resident or employment within 2,000 feet of any public or private school, day care center, or any other child care facility or within 1,000 feet of any of his former victim (s) or where a person 18 years of age or younger resides.
John Nually McGowin, Jr., 45, was charged for failing to register as a sex offender. According to state law, convicted sex offenders must register their address once released from jail.
Edward Fountain, 38, was arrested in April for failing to abide by the sex offender law. Agents received a tip that Fountain was living with his girlfriend, which was at a different location than his registered address.
McGowin was charged and convicted of second-degree juvenile rape in October 2002. According to a July 2004 report, McGowin had sex with a 15-year-old female that was living at his residence. The victim became pregnant as a result.
His registered address is Blueberry Hill Mobile Home Park, Lot H in Brewton. According to Commander of Domestic Violence Monte McGougin, it was reported that McGowin had moved to an address in Conecuh County. Officers located McGowin in Repton.
McGowin is currently in the Escambia County Detention Center. Bond had not been set.
For a complete list of sex offenders in Escambia (Ala.) County, visit the Web site www.acjic.alabama.gov.
If you know of anyone who is in violation of the Sex Offender Act, contact the Domestic Violence Crime Unit at 809-064.