An Afton attorney who previously served as a Lincoln County deputy prosecutor and was recently a finalist for a Wyoming judgeship is facing a misdemeanor solicitation charge in neighboring Idaho after investigators allege he offered to pay for a sexual encounter through an anonymous dating app.
John Bowers, 66, was charged July 22 in Bear Lake County with one misdemeanor count of solicitation for commercial sexual activity.
A probable cause affidavit says the investigation began June 24 after a private citizen contacted the Montpelier Police Department about messages exchanged with Bowers on Sniffies, a location-based social networking app.
The reporting party, who described himself in the affidavit as someone who reports suspected criminal activity to law enforcement, told police Bowers offered $300 to "party" and said he would bring "party supplies." Investigators interpreted the messages as an offer to pay for a sexual encounter.
Bowers has pleaded not guilty.
'This Charge is Frivolous'
Bowers' attorney, Richard Blok of Pocatello, declined to comment to Cowboy State Daily, saying the Rules of Professional Conduct limited what he could say.
However, he said a statement he previously provided to an Idaho news outlet remains accurate.
"Mr. Bowers is innocent of the charge,” Blok said in the statement. "This charge is frivolous and should never have been brought."
A pretrial conference is scheduled for Sept. 9 in Bear Lake County.
Search Leads To Wyoming Office
On May 21, investigators with the Montpelier Police Department, assisted by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, contacted Bowers outside his Afton law office while executing a search warrant for his electronic devices. After returning to the office, Bowers agreed to speak with investigators and surrendered his cellphone.
The affidavit notes investigators later recovered digital evidence they believe linked Bowers to the account used in the conversations, including a Gmail account allegedly created the same day under the name "Jack Black" that received a Sniffies activation email.
During the interview, Bowers acknowledged using the app and exchanging messages but denied intending to solicit prostitution.
"I truly didn't think I was soliciting," Bowers told investigators.
Bowers also described his conduct as "morally wrong and inappropriate" while maintaining he never intended to arrange a commercial sexual encounter.
Well-Known Wyoming Attorney
Bowers has practiced law in western Wyoming for decades and previously served as a deputy prosecutor in the Lincoln County Attorney's Office.
Last November, he was one of three finalists selected by the Wyoming Judicial Nominating Commission for a Lincoln County Circuit Court judgeship. Gov. Mark Gordon ultimately appointed Judge Thomas Deering to the bench.
Cowboy State Daily also contacted the Wyoming State Bar seeking information about Bowers' status as a licensed attorney and whether the bar had taken any action in response to the Idaho criminal charge.
Deputy Bar Counsel Brandon Booth declined to answer questions about Bowers specifically.
Asked generally about the bar's policy when a licensed attorney is charged with a misdemeanor, Booth said attorneys have reporting obligations "depending on the result of the allegations."
Kolby Fedore can be reached at kolby@cowboystatedaily.com.
