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.
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:
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.
