El Dorado County Man Arrested on Suspicion of Child Sexual Abuse Spanning 2 Decades
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“On June 21, 2024, at 4:00 pm, the Placerville Police Department’s Crime Reduction Team responded to 47-year-old Joshua John Bowen’s residence in the unincorporated area of El Dorado County to serve a felony arrest warrant related to the possession of child pornography and other sex crimes against minors. Bowen was contacted at his residence, and after coordinating with his attorney on the phone to have him surrender, he exited and was safely taken into custody without incident.
The Placerville Police Department’s Crime Reduction Team (CRT) had initiated an investigation in December 2022, when it was alleged that Bowen attempted to meet with a minor for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity. Bowen was arrested and booked in the El Dorado County Jail based on that investigation.
Bowen was again arrested in May 2024, after another victim came forward to Placerville PD CRT, alleging that Bowen victimized him while he was a minor. During this investigation, a search warrant was obtained and served at his residence for further evidence, which included his electronics devices.
During an in-depth analysis of the electronics seized, Investigators discovered more individuals that investigators had probable cause to believe were victims of Bowen during their childhood. It was discovered that Bowen may have been sexually abusing minors for at least two decades.
The Crime Reduction Team worked in partnership with the El Dorado County DA’s Office and secured a felony warrant of arrest for Bowen based on the evidence discovered on the electronic devices pursuant to the search warrant.
Bowen was transported and booked on the warrant and is being held at the El Dorado County Jail without bail for the following charges:
32 counts of 288(C)(1) PC- Lewd or lascivious acts with a child who is 14 or 15 years old, if the perpetrator is at least 10 years older [Felony]
4 counts of 288A(B)(1) PC- Oral copulation under the age of 18 years [Felony]
1 count of 288A(C)(2)(A) PC- Oral copulation by force, violence, duress, menace, and fear [Felony]
1 count of 664/286(B)(1) PC- Attempted sodomy w/person under 18 years [Felony]
1 count of 288.2(A)(2) PC- Harmful matter sent/etc. w/intent to seduce minor [Felony]
24 counts of 288(A) PC- Lewd or lascivious acts w/child under 14 years – Rape [Felony]
2 counts of 288.3(A) PC- Contact minor with intent sex [Felony]
4 counts of 288.4(B) PC- Arrange/go to meeting with minor [Felony]
4 counts of 287(B)(1) PC- Oral copulation w/person under 18 [Felony]
1 count of 646.9(A) PC- Stalking [Felony]
The Placerville Police Department would like to remind parents and guardians that social media is the most common medium used by sexual predators for these types of activities. While protecting the youth starts at home, the Placerville Police Department will use any and all resources available to protect the children in our community.
Although Bowen has been arrested on the known charges, this is still an active investigation and anyone with information is asked to call the Placerville Police Department Crime Reduction Team Detectives at (530) 642-5210.”
