Ex-Madras HS track coach gets 5 years probation in abuse plea deal

As her trial was set to begin, a former track and field coach at Madras High School pleaded guilty Monday to one count of second-degree sex abuse involving a 17-year-old on the team and received a sentence of five years probation, Jefferson County District Attorney Steven LeRiche said.

Bowerman was arrested in July 2014 by Oregon State Police at her home in the Wheeler County town of Fossil on Class C felony charges of second-degree sexual abuse, luring a minor and online sexual corruption of a child, as well as a misdemeanor charge of contributing to the sexual delinquency of a minor.

She also had pleaded not guilty last July to more charges in Deschutes County concerning the same victim. The two cases were consolidated.

Bowerman made no statement in court at Monday’s plea entry and sentencing, LeRiche told NewsChannel 21.

Her attorney, Stephen Houze, says therapy has been “very valuable” for Bowerman, the daughter-in-law of Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman. He says she had a previously undiagnosed mental health condition.

The former coach spent 26 days in jail after her July 2014 arrest.

Here’s the full news release from LeRiche on Monday’s court proceedings:

“Former Madras High School Assistant Track Coach Melissa Bowerman, 45, pled guilty today to one felony count of Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree.

“The charge alleged that between May, 2014, and July, 2014, Bowerman unlawfully and knowingly subjected a 17-year-old student to sexual contact by touching his genital area, having been a coach of the victim. Additional charges of Using a Child in a Display of Sexually Explicit Conduct and Luring a Minor were dismissed in exchange for Bowerman’s plea.

“Judge Daniel Ahern accepted the plea negotiations and sentenced her. The Court found: 1) that treatment is likely to be more effective than prison in reducing the risk of recidivism; 2) that treatment is available for her; and 3) the probationary sentence will serve community safety issues by promoting offender reformation.

“Bowerman’s sentence will place her on supervised probation for a period of 60 months and require her to undergo a sex offender evaluation and any recommended treatment. Bowerman will be precluded from having any contact with minors and will be prohibited from using the internet or social media throughout the term of her probation. Bowerman will also be required to register as a sex offender.

“Pursuant to plea negotiations, the State agreed not to request additional jail time on top of the time Bowerman has previously served in this case, but if Bowerman’s probation is revoked she will face a term of 16-18 months prison.

“This resolution was reached after consultation with the family of the victim and review of extensive investigative materials in the case, including cell phone and Facebook records, a mental health evaluation and sex offender evaluation of Bowerman, and additional information provided by Bowerman’s defense attorney, Mr. Stephen Houze.

“The extended investigation revealed evidentiary issues that helped the parties make the decision to resolve this case without the need for a trial. The District Attorney’s Office agreed to this resolution because it achieved the results of blocking Bowerman’s access to minors and requiring her to register as a sex offender, which should preclude her ability to use her contacts and position as a coach or track enthusiast to access minors in the future. The District Attorney’s Office also avoided additional distress to the victim and his family.

“The District Attorney’s Office would like to recognize the efforts of the Oregon State Police Detectives who investigated the case.”