Joshua Michael Bowden, a 43-year-old resident of Dallas, Texas, has been sentenced to ten years in prison following his conviction for coercion and enticement of a minor. The sentencing took place after Bowden admitted to attempting to engage in sexual acts with an 11-year-old.
Court documents revealed that on September 28, 2023, while Bowden was in Utah on a business trip, he began communicating online with someone he believed to be the father of an 11-year-old boy. Unbeknownst to him, the individual was actually an undercover officer. During their conversations, Bowden expressed his intent to engage in sexual activities with the child. Upon arriving at the agreed meeting location, Bowden was arrested by law enforcement officers. A subsequent search of his phone uncovered material related to child sexual abuse.
Acting United States Attorney Felice John Viti from the District of Utah announced the sentence. The FBI's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force conducted the investigation into this case.
The prosecution was led by Assistant United States Attorney Joey Blanch from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse. This initiative brings together federal, state, and local resources to locate and prosecute individuals who exploit children through digital means and works towards identifying and rescuing victims. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psc.