WARWICK, R.I. (AP) - A convicted sex offender who was extradited to Rhode Island from Massachusetts to face a probation violation charge was ordered held without bail pending a hearing.
Forty-nine-year-old Richard Gardner made an appearance in Kent County Superior Court in Warwick on Wednesday.
Gardner was released from prison Oct. 3. He was convicted of multiple child rapes in the 1980s and early 1990s in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
Authorities allege that Gardner violated his probation by recently visiting a library in Quincy, Massachusetts. They say Gardner is prohibited from loitering near children or places frequented by children, and faces up to 30 years in prison.
Gardner’s attorney argued it wasn’t properly indicated that Gardner would be violating his probation upon entering the library.
Gardner’s expected back in court this month.
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