James Bowen, Child Pornography, Missouri 2016

Defendant Pleads Guilty to Heinous Child Pornography Crimes

St. Louis, MO – In a shocking turn of events, James Bowen, a resident of Pevely, MO, has pleaded guilty to production, receipt and possession of child pornography between January 1, 2014, and February 29, 2016.

According to court documents, Bowen had illegal sexual contact with a minor under the age of twelve in 2014. The horrific crimes continued as he took approximately 30 to 40 photographs of her in various stages of undress. During the investigation of Bowen’s computers, law enforcement found over 5,288 images of child pornography and 810 videos of child pornography.

Many of these images and videos of child pornography were of minor children under the age of twelve. The extent of Bowen’s crimes is a stark reminder of the dangers of child exploitation and the importance of vigilant law enforcement.

Bowen pleaded guilty to one felony count each of production, receipt and possession of child pornography before United States District Judge Ronnie L. White, in St. Louis. Sentencing has been set for October 26, 2016.

The charges against Bowen carry severe penalties, including a penalty range of 15-30 years in prison for production of child pornography, 5-20 years in prison for receipt of child pornography, and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for possession. In determining the actual sentences, a Judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the St. Louis County Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Pevely Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Colleen Lang is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The investigation and prosecution of these heinous crimes are a testament to the dedication of law enforcement agencies and their commitment to protecting the innocent and bringing perpetrators to justice.