A former Andalusia Police officer and 2006 candidate for sheriff is being held in the Covington County Jail on a $1.3 million bond after allegedly breaking into the home of the victim in a sexual misconduct case to which he pleaded guilty.

Kevin DeWayne Owens, 44, of Opp was arrested Tuesday after the sheriff’s department was dispatched to a residence on Padgett Road.

Investigator Wesley Snodgrass said Thursday deputies responded to a call of burglary in which the caller described the offender, saying he was highly intoxicated. The caller also described the alleged intruder’s vehicle and his direction of travel.

“Deputy Nick Stanley did an outstanding job of locating the vehicle, while en route to the call,” Snodgrass said.

Owens was arrested for driving under the influence.

Snodgrass said that investigators responded to the report of the burglary on Padgett Road.

“Investigators determined, based on numerous eyewitness statements, as well as physical and electronic evidence, that Mr. Owens did in fact break into the home, causing damage to the property, and fled the scene,” he said.

Snodgrass said because Owens is a convicted sex offender, he is required to maintain registration with the Covington County Sheriff’s Office.

Snodgrass said since Owens’ conviction is for an excepted offense, his information is not published on the website, but said that the Alabama Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification Act prohibits Owens from having any contact with the victim or victim’s family.

Ownes was arrested in 2007, and faced charges of sexual abuse, rape, sodomy and intimidating a witness following allegations that he engaged in sexual intercourse with a female by forcible compulsion and he subjected a child under the age of 12 to sexual acts.

Owens plead guilty in October 2012 to sexual misconduct in one case and assault III in two separate cases. He was given a one-year suspended sentence of concurrent time in each case, placed on two years of supervised probation and ordered to pay an assortment of fees and fines in each case.

However, Owens was required to serve one year in jail after he sent text messages to his victim.

Snodgrass said Owens has violated the sex offender act by coming within 100 feet of his victim, attempting to break-in the home, and by having electronic communication with the victim and the victim’s family.

Owens has been charged with burglary II, which is a class B felony; stalking II, which is a class C felony; adult sex offender prohibited contact, which is a class C felony; and criminal mischief III, which is a misdemeanor.

Snodgrass said since Owens is a former law enforcement officer, other arrangements may be made for his housing for his protection.

“We intend to protect the victim to our best ability,” Sheirff Dennis Meeks said. This case will be prosecuted to the fullest extent.”

Snodgrass said the district attorney’s office has rescused itself from the case.