Show-Me State Times

ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Ronnie L. White on Thursday sentenced Thomas J. Bowles, a registered sex offender from St. Charles County, Missouri, to 40 years in prison for soliciting sex from two minor victims via social media.

Bowles, now 48, repeatedly contacted a female minor offering to be her “sugar daddy” in exchange for sex acts and explicit material. He also targeted a second minor, claiming he could mentor her in the modeling industry and providing gifts in exchange for sexual contact.

In a victim impact statement, one of the victims described Bowles as obsessed, saying, “He was obsessed with me, and no matter how hard I tried to get rid of him he would always find another way.” The other victim expressed feeling manipulated, stating, “I completely lost myself. I was talked into some crazy stuff that breaks my soul to live with.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jillian Anderson highlighted Bowles' intentional manipulation and exploitation of vulnerable children during the court proceedings.

Bowles pleaded guilty to charges including sex trafficking of a child, coercion and enticement of minors, production of child pornography, and receiving child pornography.

The investigation into Bowles' actions involved the FBI, St. Charles County Police Department, St. Louis County Police Department, and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jillian Anderson and Nathan Chapman.

The sentencing of Bowles falls under Project Safe Childhood, an initiative aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse. Project Safe Childhood, launched by the Department of Justice in 2006, coordinates efforts to apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children online and to rescue victims.

For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.