ByTori Richards
On Dec. 19, 2005, Bowers flew to Orange County where he checked into The Best Value Inn. He picked up KDH at her home and drove her back to his motel where they had sex in his room and rental car. He returned home a few days later and the pair continued to send sexually explicit emails back and forth, according to court documents.
Then on Feb. 17, 2006, Bowers convinced the girl to make a video of herself that "consisted of a lascivious exhibition of the minor's genital area," according to court documents. KDH emailed two video clips to Bowers consisting of 150 images.
Bowers ended his relationship with the girl three months later. She then told her parents about their sexual encounter and the authorities were notified.
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| FBI patch |
KDH committed suicide on July 17, 2006 and left a note partially blaming the defendant. Two days later, FBI agents interviewed Bowers and he denied taking KDH to his motel room for sex. The following day he was interviewed again and changed his story, admitting everything.
The indictment charged him with two counts of using the internet to engage in sexual activity with a minor, traveling for the purpose of having sex with a minor, enticing a minor to engage in sexual conduct over the internet, transporting child pornography and lying to authorities.
As part of his plea bargain, Bowers will be on probation for six years and must register as a sex offender. His internet activities and computer software must be approved by his probation officer and is subject to search at any time.
U.S. Attorney's Office spokesman Thom Mrozak said many internet predators are prosecuted thanks to a task force involving the FBI, local law enforcement and the U.S. Attorney's Office. Often, officers will pose as minors and set up meetings with adults seeking sex. Using the internet qualifies as interstate commerce, which means these crimes can be prosecuted federally for stiffer sentences.
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Documents:
Bowers Indictment
Plea Agreement
Guilty Plea
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