Press release from the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office:
The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office has charged Raphael Collins McDowell III, age 71, with First Degree Sexual Offense with a Child and Indecent Liberties with a Minor.
Detectives with the Buncombe County Special Investigations Unit received a report of the crimes and conducted several interviews about the incidents, which were reported to have occurred in 2009. After consultation with the Buncombe County District Attorney’s Office, the above charges were obtained.
Mr. McDowell is being held in the Buncombe County Detention Center on a $200,000 bond.
“I would like to thank Detective Rice and Detective Bradley for their diligent work on this case,” says Detective Sgt. Caleb Hunter, supervisor of the Special Investigations Unit.
Anyone who has been a victim of a sex crime is asked to please contact the Family Justice Center at 828.250.6900 or Our Voice at 828.252.0562.
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