St. Louis Man Arrested After Traveling To Denver To Have Sex With Mother And Two Minor Daughters

The mother was actually an Homeland Security Investigations undercover agent

DENVER – Darwin Gilbert Gowen, age 61, of St. Louis, Missouri, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents at Denver International Airport (DIA) after he traveled with intent to have sex with two minor children, U.S. Attorney John Walsh and HSI Special Agent in Charge Kumar Kibble announced.  Gowen has previously made his initial appearance, where he was advised of his rights and the charges pending against him.  He is due back in court on Wednesday, July 2, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kristen L. Mix for a detention hearing.  The Criminal Complaint was filed on June 20, 2014.  Gowen was arrested by HSI agents at DIA on that same day.

The affidavit in support of the Criminal Complaint was written by an HSI special agent based in Greeley, Colorado, who was working in an undercover capacity.  In her undercover role as a 37-year-old single mother of two minor daughters, ages 15 and 11, she communicated with an individual who expressed an interest in having sex with the mother and both daughters.

During the conversations, which took place primarily via email and text, the defendant stated that he was “a 60 year old male, widowed . . . wanting to experience the wild side of life.”  He also said he “adored chubby girls” . . . and was “looking for naughty daughters . . . who love to hook up with a kinky mom for mom daughter fun.”  Further investigation revealed that the individual was Darwin Gilbert Gowen of St. Louis, Missouri. 

Gowen told the undercover agent that he was going to fly to Denver to see her and have sex with her and her daughters.  HSI agents confirmed that the defendant had arranged to fly to Denver on June 19th.  He was observed by HSI agents leaving the St. Louis Airport.  He was then seen at DIA.  Gowen met a female HSI agent at the DIA baggage check.  After the two discussed that he flew to Denver for the express purpose of having sex with the two minor children, he was arrested.

“Individuals who travel to have sex with minors are dangerous, as there is always the chance that they communicate with a vulnerable woman with children as opposed to an undercover agent,” said U.S. Attorney John Walsh.  “Thanks to the work of HSI, another person who was planning to sexually exploit innocent children now faces criminal charges.”

“Crimes against children are some of the most loathsome our agency investigates," said Special Agent in Charge Kumar Kibble, of HSI Denver. "These criminal charges serve as warning to other child predators. We will find you, arrest you and make sure that you are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

If convicted of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, the defendant faces not more than 30 years in federal prison, and up to a $250,000 fine.  If convicted of attempted coercion and enticement, the defendant faces not less than 10 years, and up to life in federal prison, and up to a $250,000 fine, per count for each of the two counts charged.

This case was investigate by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).  The Denver Police Department assisted with the arrest at DIA.

Gowen is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alecia Riewerts Wolak, the coordinator of the Project Safe Childhood initiative for the District of Colorado.

A criminal complaint is a probable cause charging document.  Anyone accused of committing a federal felony crime has a Constitutional right to be indicted by a grand jury.

The charges contained in the Criminal Complaint are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice.  Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.