NORWICH – A man accused of breaking into a woman’s home to steal her underwear was released without bail from the Chenango County Correctional Facility Friday at the strenuous objection of prosecutors and as the victim’s family expressed concern for her safety.

City of Norwich Police arrested 21-year-old Joshua D. Derouchie of 7 State St., Norwich, on Sept. 4 after they received a complaint that he was posting offensive images of the victim online.

Police said they discovered the posted images contained articles of clothing that were stolen from the victim’s home more than a year earlier.

Assistant District Attorney Michael D. Ferrarese told Chenango County Court Judge W. Howard Sullivan that Derouchie had admitted to breaking into the victim’s home on two of the three alleged incidents.

He also said the defendant told investigators he committed sexual acts with the clothing before posting pictures of the victim and her garments on the Internet. The ADA then said Derouchie encouraged others to commit similar sexual acts with the images online.

Derouchie was charged with two counts of second degree burglary and one count of third degree burglary, all felonies. One of the second degree burglary counts was listed as a sexually motivated crime and may require Derouchie to register as sex offender for no less than 20 years if he is convicted.

Defense Attorney Frank Revoir asked for his client’s release, saying he had already served 60 days since his arrest.