72-year-old Tampa man gets 17 1/2 years in child porn case

TAMPA -- Roger Stowell pleaded with a federal judge today for a prison sentence that would allow him to spend the final years of his life surrounded by loved ones, not inmates.

"I don't want to die in jail, if at all possible," the 72-year-old Tampa man said. "I want to spend my last useful years with people who care about me and who will be willing to care for me."

Stowell said those people won't be his immediate family. His wife and son turned him in to authorities in April after they found child pornography on his computer at home.

"I forgive them for what they've done," he said, "because they did what they thought was the right thing to do."

Adam Allen, Stowell's attorney, said in court that Stowell has about 10 years to live, according to a life expectancy chart. And Stowell's health is fading, Allen said.

Stowell had a rough childhood, which likely contributed to his behavior, Allen said. His mother was emotionally and physically abusive. She once poured kerosene down his throat, Allen said.

U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday was unmoved.

He gave Stowell the maximum prison time outlined in a the sentencing guidelines -- 17 1/2 years in federal prison for pleading guilty to two counts of possessing child pornography.

The judge also ordered that Stowell register with the state as a sex offender.

"I conclude that this defendant is a persistent and dangerous predator," Merryday said. "His better judgment ... is overcome by impulses that lead him in a destructive manner into the life of those who are not able to defend themselves."

Today's sentencing concluded what began during an Oct. 24 hearing, when the mother of a boy who accused Stowell of molesting him more than 25 years ago testified.

Stowell worked as vice principal at the time at Berlin American High School in Germany. The boy, who was 13, accused Stowell of molesting him during a camping trip in 1982.

Stowell was never charged with a crime but was fired nonetheless. Stowell sued for wrongful termination, and the school settled the case. Allen said in court today that Stowell was reinstated and received about $100,000 in back pay on the condition that he resign.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Hoffer said in court that Stowell also was accused of molestation by another boy in 1969. That case was investigated, he said, but Stowell never was charged.

"This defendant has caused uncalculated or untold damage," Hoffer said.

While Stowell doesn't deny the 1969 or 1982 allegations, Allen said he maintains his innocence in both cases.

-Kevin Graham, Times staff writer

Comments

[jamie]

If your family turned you in most likely they don't want to spend your final years with you. Are you catching my drift?

[Jammer]

Don't worry Mr. Stowell, you will be surrounded by people who will take care of you in the proper way...It is too bad that they can not charge you with murder, because of you, your 82 victim is now passed..Yes, you changed the world as an admin of our school, but we knew it was always for the worse..You could'nt even catch the Masked Minutemen, So you threatened uninvolved students...Your evils always come back threefold...Bubba, Rico, and Ahmad will make sure of that. There will be no tears shed from the Berlin Brats...And our support is with your family, whom you have also victimized, God only knows to what extent...