Sources say frightened neighbors convince sex offender to leave Barrington

Fiancé and others say convicted sex offender succumbs to pressure to move out of town

EastBayRI.com ·

Two days after more than 50 Barrington residents met to discuss how to drive a registered sex offender out of town, it appears they have succeeded.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the fiancé of the 35-year-old man said they have been bullied and intimidated for more than a week, and they will be moving out of Barrington. Neighbors, who also asked not to be identified, began reacting immediately.

One woman said she broke down and cried when she heard the news. "I was feeling so overwhelmed by the whole thing," she said. "The neighborhood just wasn't a good fit for him."

Another woman said on Thursday, "I am relieved … I am grateful and relieved."

The drama began on Sunday, Nov. 20, when Jordan Maddock visited the Barrington Police Department and told officers he was moving to town.

In 2014, Mr. Maddock pleaded no contest to one count of third-degree sexual assault and one count of possession of child pornography. His victim was a 14-year-old girl he met online. He served a year in prison, and upon his release, the Rhode Island Parole Board categorized him as a Level II sex offender — meaning he is considered a "moderate risk" to reoffend.

Shortly after Mr. Maddock registered with the police, residents on Owings Stone Road and in the surrounding neighborhood off Ferry Lane reacted — "My neighborhood is devastated," wrote one resident. "Just so upsetting," wrote another.

Within days, group emails were circulating with proposals for how to stop Mr. Maddock from settling in Barrington long-term. Ideas included a cash payment to leave, as well as buying the house where the couple recently moved. The home is owned by two sisters who are the daughters of the late Ruth and Sumner "Bill" Simmons.

"The Simmons lived in the house for many many years and raised their two daughters there," stated one email. "Sadly Mr. Simmons recently passed away. For those of you that didn't know them —- they were extremely lovely people. The two daughters own the home now — but after putting it on the market — they have now decided to keep it in the family and officially sell it to the granddaughter."

Some residents considered pooling their money and making an offer to purchase the house.

"A group of us are also going to offer them money to help encourage them to re-list the house," stated the email. "We all know that people are not perfect and do make mistakes. However, when those mistakes involve the harm of a child, it's extremely difficult for most people to feel at ease in a neighborhood with so many young children."

On Tuesday night, Nov. 29, more than 50 people gathered at a home in that area to discuss the situation. It is not clear if any financial offer was made to the property owners, but on Dec. 1, a resident who attended the meeting stated: "The house will be going back on the market."

Mr. Maddock's fiancé confirmed that information.  She also shared her description of the last week and a half for her family. She said residents had made their lives very difficult, and had called her mother and aunt nonstop. She said that at times, she was fearful she would lose her job.

"We can't go outside," she added.

Barrington Police Sgt. Josh Birrell has been closely monitoring the situation in the Owings Stone Road neighborhood. He said he has spoken with some of the residents and has also communicated with Mr. Maddock and his fiancé.

Sgt. Birrell said residents invited the police department to the Nov. 29 meeting. He initially planned on attending, but decided not to after learning that the meeting had grown to include dozens of people and that the agenda for the meeting had changed.

"There was this effort to communicate with the family (that owns the home) and change things up," he said. "That's really not our purpose for being involved."
Sgt. Birrell and the local police department offered to host an informational meeting at the station or at another town building, but nothing has been scheduled.

"We're more than happy to sit down and provide any information they may want," he said.

Sgt. Birrell also confirmed that the police department sent a cruiser to patrol the Owings Stone Road neighborhood during the residents' meeting on Nov. 29, adding that "everyone's been respectful" of each other.

"As upsetting as this may be for some people, you can't take matters into your own hands," he said.

Mr. Maddock is not the only Level II sex offender living in town. According to the Rhode Island Parole Board's website, Rose Lane resident Joseph Phillips is a Level II sex offender who was convicted of possession of child pornography. His probation expires Nov. 2020.

Mr. Maddock's probation expires July 2019.

'It was a relief'

Residents in the Owings Stone Road neighborhood say that they are not passing judgment on Mr. Maddock, and that their actions are not full of hate.
"We're here for love," said one resident. "We love our kids and we love our neighborhood."

But the thought of a Level II sex offender living in their midst — a stone's throw from an elementary school bus stop — left them feeling like they needed to do something.

"We had to try," said one resident. "We had to ... I walk by the house on the way to the bus stop. I didn't want him to look at my children. It was so unsettling."