HARRISBURG, PA — A 28-year-old Utah man has been arrested and charged in connection with the alleged sexual abuse of a 15-year-old Luzerne County child, Attorney General Dave Sunday announced.
According to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Braxton A. Bowles of Ogden, Utah, was taken into custody last week in Utah. He is charged with multiple felony offenses, including unlawful contact with a minor, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, statutory sexual assault, and manufacturing and dissemination of child sexual abuse material.
Authorities stated Bowles is awaiting extradition to Luzerne County for a preliminary appearance in Central Court.
The charges stem from an investigation that began after the Kingston Police Department received two ChildLine referrals in late December 2025, according to the Attorney General’s Office.
Investigators allege Bowles met the 15-year-old victim online through social media in 2024 and continued communicating through various platforms into 2025. Authorities further allege Bowles traveled from Utah to Pennsylvania on two separate occasions, where he allegedly assaulted the victim and recorded the encounters.
According to prosecutors, Bowles also allegedly purchased a promise ring, clothing and other items for the victim.
The case was investigated by the Office of Attorney General’s Child Predator Section and the Kingston Police Department, with assistance from U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, the Wilkes-Barre City Police Department, the Ogden Police Department and the Weber County Attorney’s Office.
Deputy Attorney General Mary G. Phillips is prosecuting the case.
All suspects, arrestees, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.