Melvin Dowell, Attempted Online Enticement, Kentucky 2023

Rineyville Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Attempted Online Enticement

LOUISVILLE, KY. - Melvin Dowell, 55, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after being caught during a sting operation. Dowell had previously pled guilty to attempted online enticement and transfer of obscene material to a minor.

According to the Plea Agreement, on August 14, 2019, a Detective with the Kentucky Attorney General's Department of Criminal Investigations posed as a 15-year-old girl. Dowell, an unknown subject at the time, reached out to the undercover operator and the two communicated over email and eventually text message. Dowell directed the conversations to a sexual nature, requested "naked" images of the operator, and requested details about her sexual history.

Dowell also sent sexually explicit images of himself and requested to meet the girl to engage in sex acts. On August 30, 2019, law enforcement officials agreed to meet Dowell at a predetermined location in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. Dowell continued to communicate with the undercover operator and gave updates on his arrival time while in route.

At approximately 6:38 p.m., Dowell stated he had arrived at the location. A red Ford Ranger pickup pulled into the driveway of the house where the two had agreed to meet, and Dowell got out of the truck and entered the residence where he was arrested. A pat down search revealed that Dowell had two Skyn brand, non-latex condoms.

The joint investigation was conducted by the United States Secret Service and Kentucky Attorney General's Office with assistance from the Elizabethtown Police Department, United States Marshals Service, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF).

Assistant United States Attorney Jo E. Lawless prosecuted the case. The court also ordered Dowell to pay a $12,000 fine and a $5,000 Special Penalty Assessment under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act. Dowell will be required to register as a sex offender and will be subject to a 10-year term of Supervised Release after his release from prison.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the federal government to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Defendant: Melvin Dowell, 55

Criminal Charges: Attempted online enticement and transfer of obscene material to a minor

City and State: Louisville, Kentucky

Exact Date: August 30, 2019 (arrest date)

Sentence or Outcome: 10 years in federal prison, $12,000 fine, and $5,000 Special Penalty Assessment

Dollar Amounts: $12,000 fine, $5,000 Special Penalty Assessment

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdky/pr/rineyville-man-sentenced-10-years-federal-prison-after-being-caught-during-sting-0