Sex offender in Eastward Arrested

Brett Black, a 47-year-old level two sex offender, was arrested and charged with trespassing by the Narragansett Police Department following an incident in the Eastward Look area on Sept. 22.

According to police, several complaints were made between Sept. 16 and Sept. 26. Over the course of that week, complaints included a suspicious man peering through windows, attempted entry into residences and one report of unlawful entry.

At the time of his arrest, Black was found crouching in bushes by the first-floor window of a residence occupied by female University of Rhode Island students.

Black has lived in the area since 2010. He was convicted for the first time in Delaware, where he committed unlawful sexual contact in the third degree against a woman over the age of 18.

Sept. 24, just after 6 p.m., a release was sent to the University of Rhode Island community members regarding Black and his arrest on behalf of the Narragansett and URI Police Departments.

Black has been enrolled and participated in URI classes for the past two academic years.

According to Narragansett Police, Black has been the subject of numerous stalking and harassment complaints over the past eight years. Besides his current arrest, Black is also a suspect in an ongoing burglary investigation.

Black was arraigned on the misdemeanor trespassing charge and has posted bond. He is due for re-arraignment in fourth division district court on Oct. 2.

Black’s current recorded residence is 6 Emma Lane in Narragansett, Rhode Island. The Narragansett and URI Police Departments recommend students remain aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious activity promptly to police by calling 911 or 401-874-2121 when reporting from URI.