Washington Man Sentenced for Stalking

Jerome J. Loew, 54, of Clarkston, Washington, was sentenced yesterday to 180 months in federal prison for harassing telephone calls, obscene telephone calls, interstate stalking, interstate violation of a protection order and interstate telephone threats, U.S. Attorney Tom Moss announced.

Investigators determined that Loew had a lengthy criminal history of similar offenses dating back to the 1970s, with over a dozen prior stalking victims. This history played a significant role in the lengthy prison sentence, which exceeded the advisory federal sentencing guidelines.

Testimony during the trial in June 2008 showed that Loew used the telephone to harass the 39-year-old victim, whom he had met while doing remodeling on her Lewiston home. He repeatedly left obscene phone and text messages for both the victim and her teenaged son. An analysis of telephone records showed over 583 phone calls were made by Loew to the victim in a three week period. Testimony showed that Loew violated three protection orders by crossing state lines, making interstate telephone threats, and stalking the victim.

U.S. District Court Judge W.F. Nielsen ordered Loew to have no contact with the victim, as well as prior victims who were named in the presentence report. Loew was ordered to pay a $1,100 special assessment, complete sexual deviancy treatment, and serve three years of supervised release after he completes his 15 year prison term.

U.S. Attorney Moss praised the diligent work of the Lewiston Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. "This kind of serious stalking and harassment case is deserving of the full investigative and prosecution efforts of the federal government. The skillful investigators and detectives who have handled this case are highly commended."