SOUTH BEND - Robert Allen Howell was in court for first appearance on one count of second degree rape in Pacific County Superior Court Friday afternoon. Howell is scheduled for arraignment this Friday. The alleged victim is an adult woman.
Howell's prior sex offenses consist of communicating with a minor for immoral purposes (a 12-year-old female) from December 27, 2002, and second degree child molestation from August 3, 1996. Howell served 4 years, 7 months and 2 weeks for the former offense and 8 years for the latter. Howell served time in 2007 for contacting minor females in Raymond at the library.
"This is not a third strike case," Pacific County Prosecutor Mark McClain told the Herald. "He is alleged to have touched the victim (in an inappropriate area) while she slept. Very few felony cases count as a strike. Communication is not one of them. "
The South Bend Police Department have investigated the case.
"I really can't comment on the case because it's an ongoing investigation," said South Bend Police Chief Dave Eastham.
Chief Eastham informed that Howell was living in a wooded area in a tent-shack in South Bend.
Howell, in his late forties, has been in prison for much of his adult life. Howell has an extensive felony criminal history that includes convictions for burglary, possession of stolen property, drug arrest and forgery.
Powell's attorney is David S. Hatch.