HARRISBURG — Attorney General Dave Sunday, along with law enforcement partners, announced that a Utah man has been arrested for sexual abuse and numerous other crimes against a 15-year-old Luzerne County child — who he traveled across the country to abuse.
Braxton A. Bowles, 28, of Ogden, Utah, was arrested last week in that state and is facing numerous felonies, including unlawful contact with a minor, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, statutory sexual assault, and manufacturing and dissemination of child sexual abuse material.
Bowles is currently awaiting extradition to Luzerne County for an appearance in Luzerne County Central Court.
The case was investigated by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General’s Child Predator Section and the Kingston Police Department, along with assistance from U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, the Wilkes-Barre City Police Department, the Ogden (Utah) Police Department, and the Weber County (Utah) Attorney’s Office.
The investigation revealed Bowles met the child online via social media.
“Predators are lurking online, and in this case, we had a nightmare scenario with a child being groomed by a predator who traveled across the country to sexually abuse the child. Fortunately, investigators put a stop to this deviant behavior,” Attorney General Sunday said. “Without collaboration with local, state, and federal partners — including Utah authorities who provided crucial assistance — this defendant would likely be still harming children.”
Kingston Borough Police Department Chief Richard Kotchik said: “This case highlights the strong and ongoing partnership between our department and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, reflecting the close coordination and collaboration that defined our working relationship. Together, we share a steadfast commitment to protecting our community and pursuing justice through unified, professional law enforcement efforts.”
The charges came after the Kingston Police Department received two ChildLine referrals in late December 2025.
The investigation revealed that Bowles and the victim met on TikTok in 2024 and continued to communicate using various social media platforms through 2025, including Instagram, and Snapchat. It was learned that Bowles flew from Utah to Pennsylvania on two separate occasions to assault the victim and recorded their interactions.
Bowles also bought a promise ring, along with clothing and other items for the victim.
This case is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Mary G. Phillips. Criminal charges, and any discussion thereof, are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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