Months before arrest, Overland Park scoutmaster was called ‘dangerous’ in court record
A former Boy Scout leader in Overland Park recently charged with rape and child abuse had been investigated and accused of being a danger to others months earlier, according to court records.
Andrew Rowland, 45, of Shawnee, was arrested earlier this month on charges of rape, aggravated indecent liberties with a child involving sex, and two counts of child abuse, according to a complaint filed by prosecutors in Johnson County District Court.
Rowland was removed from his position as a scoutmaster following the allegations, according to a spokesman for the regional Boy Scouts organization.
But that action came at least three months after Rowland had been under investigation by police.
In March, an application for a protection order was filed against Rowland in Johnson County District Court by an individual who said they were “at an increased risk of physical harm or death” from Rowland.
“He has been diagnosed as a highly volatile and dangerous narcissist who is at high risk for suicide or homicide,” the applicant wrote.
The individual also said Rowland kept weapons in his home, was physically abusive and had threatened to kill someone multiple times, according to the court document. The Star generally does not name possible victims of sex crimes without their permission, and is not naming the petitioner or any victims in this case.
Rowland was under investigation by the Shawnee Police Department for molesting a child and for child abuse at the time, according to the March application.
Still, as recently as April he was listed as scoutmaster for Boy Scouts of America Troop 284 in Overland Park, according to an Adventures in Scouting newsletter issued by the Heart of America Council.
On July 5, Rowland was arrested on allegations of sex crimes against children dating back years.
He is accused of rape in August 2017 and February 2020. The criminal complaint alleges he also had sex with a child between the age of 14 and 16 in August 2017 and March 2018.
Rowland is also alleged to have inflicted “cruel and inhuman corporal punishment” on a child in July 2010 and March 2017, according to court records.
Brick Huffman of the Boy Scouts of America Heart of America Council on Thursday told the Shawnee Mission Post:
“This described behavior is reprehensible and runs counter to everything for which the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) stands.
“Upon learning of these reports, we took immediate action to remove this individual from Scouting and prohibit him from any future participation in our programs.”
Huffman could not immediately be reached by The Star for comment Sunday.
Rowland was released July 7 after posting a $100,000 bond.
According to the terms of his bond, Rowland is under house arrest with GPS monitoring and cannot contact the victim or go within 100 yards of their home or work.
When reached by phone by a reporter Sunday morning, Rowland ended the call without commenting. Court records show Rowland and his wife have four children, including two from a previous marriage, and that they have been in the midst of divorce proceedings.
In charging documents, Rowland was listed as working at Daisy’s Estate Sales in Shawnee. Court records in May listed him as the owner.
In 2018, Rowland was recognized as an “outstanding scoutmaster” for Troop 284 at the Shawnee Trails 2018 Annual Adult Recognition Dinner.
Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly named Rowland as the owner of several businesses in Overland Park. This story has been edited to accurately reflect his employment history.
This story was originally published July 12, 2020 at 3:01 PM.
