He will be required to register for life as a sex offender.
Frederick, Md (KM) Sentencing was handed down on Thursday to a Thurmont man for 2nd-degree rape. Cody Fowler, 23, was given 20-years in prison with all but seven-years suspended. After he gets out, Fowler will be placed on five-years supervised probation, and must complete a sexual offenders treatment program. He will also be required to register as a sex offender for life.
According to the Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office, Fowler was arrested for a sexual assault which occurred at a small party at a private home on Jefferson on October 28th, 2016. The victim had become voluntarily intoxicated, and had no memory of events for several hours. But when she got up, she felt significant pain and injury in her genitalia. Frederick Memorial Hospital conducted a sexual assault examination and concluded that her injuries were the result of penetration.
Prosecutors say forensic DNA tests implicated Fowler. During an investigation, Fowler told a detective that he did not have any sexual contact with the victim.
Before pronouncing sentence, Circuit Court Judge Julia Martz-Fisher told Fowler the blame his conduct was his alone, and dismissed Fowler’s contention that the victim was responsible for the assault, according to a news release from the State’s Attorney’s Office.
Fowler was convicted of 2nd-degree rape on January 29th, 2018 following a five-day jury trial.
By Kevin McManus