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Defendant Name, Crime, State Year
Colorado authorities have cracked down on individuals traveling to the state for sex with minors, according to a recent press release. In a joint effort with U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Colorado arrested two men and another individual pleaded guilty to traveling to Colorado with the intention of having sex with children.
The first individual, Brian Franklin Howard, age 37, of Las Vegas, Nevada, was arrested on April 2, 2015, at Denver International Airport by HSI and the Denver Police Department. Howard initially came into contact with an undercover HSI agent on line, using the persona of a single mother of children, ages 10 and 14.
At one point, Howard took photos of his penis and sent them to the single mother persona, indicating that he would like for her to show them to her daughters. He then arranged to meet her and her children in Denver. He flew from Las Vegas to Denver, where he was met with an agent acting in an undercover capacity at DIA. Once he confirmed his intent to have sex with the children, he was arrested.
Howard faces one count of aggravated sexual abuse with children, which carries a penalty of not less than 30 years and up to life in federal prison, and up to a $250,000 fine. He also faces two counts of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, which carries a penalty of not more than 30 years in federal prison, and up to a $250,000 fine. Additionally, he faces two counts of attempted coercion and enticement, which carries a penalty of not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, and up to a $250,000 fine.
Howard is scheduled to have a detention hearing on April 8, 2015.
Another individual, Matthew Hornung, age 33, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was arrested by HSI and the Colorado State Patrol on March 28, 2015, after driving to Colorado to have sex with children. Hornung also met an undercover agent on line, using the single mother persona, saying she had children ages 10 and 14.
Hornung made it to Colorado, although his vehicle started to fail before he reached Greeley. He was arrested by HSI and the Colorado Highway Patrol after he approached the marked CSP car for assistance. The defendant faces one count of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, which carries a penalty of not more than 30 years in federal prison, and up to a $250,000 fine.
He has been ordered held without bond pending a resolution of his case.
Finally, Darwin Gowen, age 62, of St. Louis, Missouri, pleaded guilty on March 31, 2015, before U.S. District Court Judge R. Brooke Jackson, to one count of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. Gowen also met an HSI agent on line, using the persona of a single mother with young children.
Gowen traveled from Missouri to Denver by plane, where he was arrested by HSI at DIA after confirming his intent to have sex with children, ages 11 and 15. Gowen is in federal custody pending sentencing.
“Preventing the sexual abuse of children is a top priority of this office,” said U.S. Attorney John Walsh. “These cases should demonstrate to those who plan to travel from other states to Colorado in hopes of sexually exploiting children that there will be immediate and severe criminal consequences.”
“The sexual exploitation of children by predators has reached epidemic proportions nationally and internationally,” said Dav.
Key Facts
- State: Colorado
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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