Registered Sex Offender Kenrick Bowman Arraigned and Granted Bail

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Kenrick Bowman

onvicted Belizean/American sex offender, Kenrick Bowman has been in the news since Tuesday for allegations that he sodomized a number of minors at his house on Police Street, Belize City. After being held by police since Wednesday night; this afternoon the forty-two-year-old was escorted to court, arraigned and granted bail for an alleged sexual offence. The charge brought against him this afternoon is in relation to an incident which reportedly took place in mid-January of this year.  Bowman, who also stands accused of committing a similar offence, as recent as last Saturday, appeared unrepresented where he was read a single charge of Engaging in a Sexual Act in the Presence of a Fifteen-Year-Old Child.  While Bowman pleaded not guilty to the charge, court prosecutor, Corporal Christopher Smith objected to bail on several grounds.  Those reasons include the fact that Bowman is presently under investigation for allegations of similar offences and that additional charges are expected to be brought against him.  Furthermore, it is believed that Bowman may interfere with the witnesses in the case.  Most importantly, objection to bail was based on the fact that Bowman may be in need of protection since the allegations against him have received national coverage.  With that, the prosecution requested that Bowman be remanded for his own safety.  When asked if he fears for his personal well-being, Bowman told the court that he is comfortable living in the area where he presently resides.  That address is not the existing location where the offences are said to have taken place.  Bowman also told the court that he is the sole caretaker of his seventy-five-year-old father.  On the issue of him being a possible flight risk, Bowman reported that his travel documents were all stolen during a burglary at his home a few days ago while he was in police custody.  Of interest is that he told the court he is more fearful of being incarcerated, given the allegations made against him.  With that Magistrate Ladonna John granted Bowman bail in the sum of three thousand dollars, plus two sureties.  The conditions of his release are that when his travel documents are renewed he must surrender them to the court.  Likewise, Bowman must report to the Raccoon Street Police Station on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and must maintain a two-hundred yard distance from his accuser.  Late this evening, Bowman was unable to complete the necessary paperwork for his release and is being held in police custody over the weekend.  He is expected to return to court on November twenty-fifth.