James Tyra Bowman receives over two decades for child exploitation offenses

U.S. District Judge Brian A. Jackson has sentenced James Tyra Bowman, 30, of Appleton, Wisconsin, to 270 months in federal prison. Bowman was convicted of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor and attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor. After serving his prison term, he will undergo five years of supervised release and is required to complete sex offender treatment and register as a sex offender.

While in Wisconsin, Bowman used social media under the name "Genius_Outlaw" to target someone he believed was an 11-year-old girl in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He attempted to entice her into illegal sexual activities by offering gifts. The supposed child was actually an undercover law enforcement officer. Bowman sent explicit images of himself and demanded similar content from the officer posing as the child. He also made plans for illegal activities with the fictitious child in Wisconsin before being arrested by law enforcement in January 2024.

Previously, Bowman had been convicted and sentenced for child sexual exploitation offenses in Wisconsin in 2017.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to Bowman's arrest. Assistant United States Attorney Edward H. Warner, who is also Deputy Criminal Chief, prosecuted the case.

This prosecution falls under Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative started by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at addressing child sexual exploitation and abuse through coordinated efforts by federal, state, and local resources.

For further details on Project Safe Childhood, visit http://www.justice.gov/psc.