Texas anti-abortion group director arrested for soliciting sex from minor could face up to 20 years in prison
BELLAIRE, TEXAS: An official for an anti-abortion advocacy organization was fired from his job and later got arrested earlier this month for knowingly soliciting a child with the intent of engaging in sex. The man has been identified as Lucas Bowen. The 33-year-old was charged with a second-degree felony and could face up to 20 years in prison.
Lucas Bowen worked for an anti-abortion advocacy organization called Texas Right to Life where he held the position of political director. He was arrested after getting caught in a sting operation. A spokesperson for the group said the accused was terminated from his position on August 3. Texas Right to Life is one of the premier anti-abortion groups in the country and is known for setting anti-abortion goals and agendas for other states too.
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According to The Daily Mail, Lucas Bowen used to give speeches and interviews on behalf of the organization. He also served as the treasurer of the organization. A spokesperson for the organization, however, said, “he was not involved with minors in our youth programs.” The non-profit organization describes itself as "the oldest and largest statewide Pro-Life organization in Texas.” The website says, the group, “opposes abortion at any point of gestation, as abortion destroys a living, growing human life." A now-deleted press release from 2018 revealed that the accused interacted with college-age students and encouraged them to get involved in campaigns for anti-abortion candidates. Speaking of the case, the cops revealed that Bowen trying to meet the child who was actually a part of an undercover police sting and therefore, there was no harm to the child in any manner whatsoever. The authorities got enough evidence to arrest him without a warrant.
Lucas Bowen’s lawyer defended his client’s actions saying, “This investigation revolves around a fictitious alleged minor created by law enforcement and posted on the Internet. There is not a real victim in the case.” The Daily Mail reported that court records show Bowen pleaded not guilty to the solicitation charge on August 16. He is scheduled to appear before the court again on September 22. Montgomery County First Assistant District Attorney Mike Holley spilled a few details on the sting operation. He shared that Bowen was caught and charged after a sting operation run by the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force program.