Fayette Co. Fugitive Pedophile Who Previously Failed To Appear For Sentencing On Child Pornography Charge Gets 10 Years In Federal Prison

BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – A Fayette County fugitive pedophile who failed to appear for a May 2012 sentencing hearing on a child pornography charge was sentenced today to the statutory maximum of 10 years in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin. Brett David Bowyer, 34, of Scarbro, W.Va., previously pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography in October 2011.  Bowyer’s sentencing was handed down today by Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber in Bluefield. 

On September 17, 2010, Bowyer possessed on his computer more than 600 pictures and videos of children having sex or performing sexual acts. Bowyer received and shared child pornography using a peer-to-peer file sharing program called LimeWire, which allows Internet users to download files from other people’s computers around the world.

U.S. Attorney Goodwin said, “Cases involving the exploitation of innocent children are so critical.  My office will continue to work diligently to make sure that pedophiles like Mr. Bowyer are locked up where they belong.”

Bowyer was originally scheduled to be sentenced on May 30, 2012 in Bluefield, but failed to appear as required by the conditions of his release.  On June 12, 2013, Bowyer was arrested in Florida after being stopped for failing to change lanes for a Brevard County Sheriff’s deputy whose vehicle had its emergency lights flashing.

Bowyer was indicted on June 18 by a federal grand jury sitting in Huntington for failing to appear for his May 2012 sentencing hearing.  He faces up to an additional five years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.

The United States Marshals Service conducted the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Lisa Johnston handled the prosecution.  

This case was prosecuted as part of U.S. Attorney Goodwin’s ongoing initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse in the Southern District of West Virginia.