Evangelist and former youth pastor Acton Bowen was booked into the Etowah County Detention Center on April 17 on seven new felony charges involving child sex crimes.
Bowen, 37, lives in Southside in Etowah County. Jail records show Bowen is charged with two counts of second-degree sodomy, two counts of enticing a child for immoral purposes and three counts of second-degree sexual abuse.
On April 10 Bowen was arrested in Hoover on charges of second-degree sodomy, enticing a child to enter a vehicle or house for immoral purposes and second-degree sex abuse. Bowen was released from the Jefferson County Jail on April 11 on a $90,300 bond.
His bond in Etowah County is set at $500,000, records show. In a news release Etowah County Sheriff Todd Entrekin said Bowen allegedly sexually abused four juveniles between the ages of 12 and 17 throughout a period of many years. Several of the victims are adults who are just now reporting these crimes.
“While working this case, our detectives developed great working relationships with investigators from the Etowah County Sheriff’s Office, as well as several other agencies,” Hoover police Capt. Gregg Rector said April 17. “When we met with the first victim, our worst fear was that there could be more young boys who had been by molested and preyed upon by Acton Bowen. It appears our worst fears are now becoming reality. Sadly, this case continues to mushroom with each passing day.”
Bowen has denied the allegations. “I have not done what I am accused of and have not acted inappropriately in any way,” Bowen said in a press statement to AL.com issued after his first arrest. “My family and I trust the legal system and the people who are entrusted with the duty of protecting each of our rights. I believe the truth will stand and I will be vindicated of this false accusation. We ask that each of you keep everyone involved in this process in your prayers.”
The day after Bowen was released from jail, his wife of three years filed for divorce in Etowah County, according to several media reports. Ashley Bowen’s divorce complaint mentions the criminal charges against her husband and notes, “she has fully cooperated with law enforcement with regards to any information requested from her related to the investigation of the crimes for which (Acton Bowen) is alleged to have committed.” (TAB)
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