Ogden, UT— A Texas man was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after attempting to engage in sexual acts with a child while on a business trip to Utah. Joshua Michael Bowden, 43, of Dallas, Texas, pleaded guilty to the charges after he attempted to meet with an individual he believed was the father of an 11-year-old boy.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah, the case began on September 28, 2023, when Bowden initiated an online conversation with someone he believed was a parent willing to facilitate inappropriate actions involving their child. The individual he was communicating with, however, was an undercover officer posing as the father of the boy.
During their conversation, Bowden expressed a disturbing interest in engaging in sexual acts with the child. The situation escalated when Bowden traveled to Utah for a business trip and arranged to meet the individual at a pre-determined location. Upon his arrival, Bowden was arrested by law enforcement officers.
A search of Bowden’s phone revealed further evidence of his intentions, including explicit child sexual abuse material. This discovery led to additional charges and ultimately contributed to his conviction.
Bowden’s actions were uncovered through the efforts of the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, a specialized unit dedicated to investigating online child exploitation and human trafficking crimes. The task force’s work in preventing such abuses is considered critical in protecting vulnerable children from harm.
Following his conviction, Bowden was sentenced to a decade in prison. The case serves as a reminder of the ongoing threats posed by individuals seeking to exploit children, as well as the vital role of law enforcement in identifying and stopping such dangerous behaviors.