Authorities arrest Missouri man charged with child sex crimes after manhunt
TANEY COUNTY, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- A Missouri man wanted on multiple child sex crimes has been captured after more than two years on the run.
The Bates County Sheriff's Office announced that Steven Andrew Bowman was arrested in Taney County, Missouri, on Monday, following a yearslong search involving multiple state and federal agencies.
Bowman was wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service on multiple felony charges in Missouri, including sexual assault — sodomy, seven counts of possession of child pornography and three counts of statutory rape, according to a previous release from the agency and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Bowman's criminal charges were issued by several law enforcement departments, including Bates County, Henry County, St. Clair County and the Clinton Police Department. All warrants were for sexual crimes against minors and society.
"Mr. Bowman thought he could change his looks and remain on the run for ever. But today, serving Justice will begin in multiple counties. This manhunt spanned from Missouri to Las Vegas," a Facebook post from the Bates County Sheriff's Office stated.
A photo provided by the Bates County Sheriff's Office shows Bowman was almost unrecognizable compared to a previous booking photo, a change authorities had suspected.
"The suspect on the run for more than two years is in custody thanks to the team work of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Taskforce, Missouri State Highway Patrol and Detectives from Clinton PD, Bates County Sheriff's Office, St. Clair County Sheriff's Office and Henry County Sheriff's Office," a post from the department read.
