Placerville Newswire
  • Crime
  • Culture
No Result
View All Result
Get Started
Placerville NewsWire
  • Crime
  • Culture
No Result
View All Result
Placerville NewsWire
No Result
View All Result

Placerville Man Faces 97 Felony Charges After Child Predator Sting Operation

Joshua John Bowen’s Arrest and Court Battle Expose Widening Child Exploitation Investigation in El Dorado County

Cris Alarcon by Cris Alarcon
April 27, 2025
in Crime
743 15
0
Placerville Man Faces 97 Felony Charges After Child Predator Sting Operation

Joshua John Bowen of Diamond Springs (2022)

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterWhatsappReddit

PLACERVILLE, Calif. (INEDC)

PLACERVILLE, Calif. (AP) — Joshua John Bowen, 47, of Diamond Springs, faces 97 felony charges stemming from alleged sexual abuse of minors, following arrests in December 2022 and June 2024, according to court records and law enforcement officials.

You might also like

Placerville Man Arrested for Shooting left another man injured

Two Arrests, Dozens of Calls Mark Busy Wednesday in El Dorado County

October 23, 2025
EDSO Eagle

Rough Day in the County: From Broadway Robbery to Red Hawk Arrests

October 23, 2025

Bowen was first arrested in December 2022 during a sting operation targeting child predators, the Placerville Police Department reported. In May 2024, he was again arrested on suspicion of lewd acts with a child. Subsequent investigations led to the discovery of additional evidence, resulting in a felony arrest warrant executed in June 2024 at Bowen’s residence. Authorities seized electronic devices that allegedly contained child pornography and further evidence of criminal activity.

A preliminary hearing for Bowen was held April 22, 2025. He now faces 97 felony charges, including possession of child pornography and numerous sex crimes involving minors.

Bowen pleaded not guilty to all charges and remains in custody at the El Dorado County Jail, with bail set at $1 million, according to jail records. Defense Attorney Jessica Davis is representing Bowen, while Deputy District Attorney Fiona Dunleavy is leading the prosecution.

“The number of charges and breadth of the allegations are significant,” Dunleavy stated during the preliminary hearing, according to court transcripts. Authorities have emphasized the ongoing nature of the investigation and encouraged anyone with additional information to contact the Placerville Police Department.

Bowen’s next court appearance is scheduled for later this year, when the court will determine if the case proceeds to trial.

For further information or to report details related to this case, the Placerville Police Department can be contacted at (530) 642-5210.

Sources:

  • City of Placerville Police Department Press Release, June 2024

  • Sacramento Bee Crime Report, 2024

 

PPD Press Release

Placerville, CA – On 12/8/2022, the Placerville Police Department initiated an investigation into
allegations that 45 year old Joshua John Bowen of Diamond Springs, CA was involved in ongoing
inappropriate contact, through social media, with two male juvenile Placerville residents, ages 13 and
16. The juveniles notified their parents that Bowen had contacted them on social media and
engaged them in inappropriate dialogue and sharing of pornographic photographs.
The Placerville Police Department immediately launched an investigation into these allegations. It
was confirmed through the collection of evidence that the allegations of sending pornographic
material and soliciting a child for sexual purposes had occurred.
Placerville Police Department Crime Reduction Team immediately put Bowen under surveillance and
initiated a “sting” operation. It was arranged for Bowen to meet the juvenile at a local motel for the
purpose of engaging in sexual activities.
While Bowen was checking into the motel, under the surveillance of the Crime Reduction Team,
Placerville Police patrol units were directed to move in and take Bowen into custody. Bowen was
arrested without incident and brought back to the police department for an initial interview. Bowen
was then booked into the El Dorado County jail for the below listed charges.
Crime Reduction Team detectives then served a search warrant on Bowen’s Diamond Springs
residence, where he lives alone. Bowen’s vehicle was also impounded, and a search warrant was
served on it as well. Multiple items of evidence were recovered from the inside of the residence and
vehicle, including electronics that will be examined with the assistance of El Dorado County Sheriff’s
Office High Tech Unit.
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. The Placerville Police
Department will use all resources available to protect those in our community.
Bowen was booked for:
288.2 (a)(2) PC, sending or showing harmful material to seduce a minor,
288.3 (a) PC, contacting a minor for sexual purposes
647.6 (a) (1) PC, annoying or molesting a child under 18.

Cris Alarcon

Cris Alarcon

Former Member: Executive Board of Directors, Treasurer, Boys & Girl Club of El Dorado County Western Slope. - Former Member: Board of Directors, Treasurer, Food Bank of El Dorado County. - Opening Team Dealer at Red Hawk Casino - Retried EDC Elections Department Inspector. - Youngest Charter Member of the Hangtown Kennel Club. - Political Strategist and Campaign Manager.

Related Stories

Placerville Man Arrested for Shooting left another man injured

Two Arrests, Dozens of Calls Mark Busy Wednesday in El Dorado County

by Cris Alarcon
October 23, 2025

From early-morning trespassers to a late-night arrest at Red Hawk Casino, deputies handled another long Wednesday in the Motherlode.

EDSO Eagle

Rough Day in the County: From Broadway Robbery to Red Hawk Arrests

by Cris Alarcon
October 23, 2025

From a midday robbery on Broadway to a late-night domestic violence arrest at Red Hawk, deputies stayed busy across El...

EDSO Eagle

Five Arrests Across El Dorado County: Drugs, Assault, and Domestic Violence Mark a Rough day

by Cris Alarcon
October 22, 2025

Five suspects landed behind bars Monday across El Dorado County, facing charges from DUI to elder abuse in a day...

EDSO Eagle

Five Arrests Across El Dorado County: Drugs, Assault, and Domestic Violence Mark a Rough Monday

by Cris Alarcon
October 21, 2025

Five suspects landed behind bars Monday across El Dorado County, facing charges from DUI to elder abuse in a day...

Recommended

El Dorado County Board of Supervisors Elects George Turnboo as Chair

El Dorado County Board of Supervisors Elects George Turnboo as Chair

January 12, 2025
El Dorado County Rapist Arraigned on New Child Molestation, Assault Charges in Butte County

El Dorado County Rapist Arraigned on New Child Molestation, Assault Charges in Butte County

August 4, 2025

Popular Story

  • EDSO Eagle

    El Dorado County Sheriff Arrests & Activity Log: Felonies, DUIs, and Domestic Calls — Oct. 18, 2025

    683 shares
    Share 273 Tweet 171
  • El Dorado County Sheriff’s Blotter: Battery Arrest, Domestic Violence, and a Missing Person — Oct. 17, 2025

    681 shares
    Share 272 Tweet 170
  • Feds Charge Two in Alleged Fraud Linked to California’s Homekey Program

    689 shares
    Share 276 Tweet 172
  • Rough Day in the County: From Broadway Robbery to Red Hawk Arrests

    673 shares
    Share 269 Tweet 168
  • Five Arrests Across El Dorado County: Drugs, Assault, and Domestic Violence Mark a Rough Monday

    638 shares
    Share 255 Tweet 160
  • Buy JNews
  • Support Forum
  • Pre-sale Question
  • Contact Us

© 2023 Placerville Newswire Commentary is produced by the Placerville Newswire, a private service focusing on Placerville Local Area issues. All conclusions expressed in this publication should be understood to be solely those of the author(s). You may find us in El Dorado County Placerville, CA 95667

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Landing Page
  • Buy JNews
  • Support Forum
  • Pre-sale Question
  • Contact Us

© 2023 Placerville Newswire Commentary is produced by the Placerville Newswire, a private service focusing on Placerville Local Area issues. All conclusions expressed in this publication should be understood to be solely those of the author(s). You may find us in El Dorado County Placerville, CA 95667