Bowling Green Predator Gets 27 Years

⏱ 3 min read

James Clark, 40, of Bowling Green, is headed to federal prison for 27 years and six months after a jury found him guilty of a sickening scheme to exploit vulnerable young girls. The sentencing came down March 10, 2026, in federal court. For three years, Clark used social media to groom and coerce five minors into sending him explicit images and videos, fueled by promises of gifts and cash.

The feds say Clark didn’t stop at persuasion. He actively coerced the girls, using threats when they hesitated. The investigation, spearheaded by the FBI, revealed a pattern of predatory behavior focused on online manipulation. Clark was convicted of one count of sexual exploitation of a child, one count of receiving child pornography, five counts of online enticement of a minor, one count of cyberstalking, and one count of tampering with a witness.

U.S. Attorney Kyle Bumgarner didn’t mince words, calling Clark’s actions “pure evil.” The prosecutor made it clear: this wasn’t just a crime, it was a deliberate and calculated attack on children. And because there’s no parole in the federal system, Clark will serve the full sentence before being eligible for supervised release – for life.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Olivia Olson said the sentence “reflects the depravity” of Clark’s actions and warned other offenders that the Bureau will relentlessly pursue these cases. This case was part of Project Safe Childhood, a national initiative focused on combating online exploitation of children.