Evangelist Acton Bowen Pleads Guilty To Sex Crimes

ETOWAH COUNTY, AL — Youth pastor and evangelist Acton Bowen pleaded guilty today to 28 counts of sexual abuse, involving victims between the ages of 13 and 16, according to a WBRC report.

Bowen was arrested in April of 2018 by the Hoover Police Department on charges of sodomy, enticing a child to enter a vehicle or house for immoral purposes, and second-degree sex abuse. A week later, Bowen was booked into the Etowah County jail on felony charges of sodomy and enticing a child for immoral purposes. He was also charged with three counts of second-degree sexual abuse. Bowen is accused of sexually abusing six juveniles over a "period of many years," according to the Etowah County Sheriff's Office.

Related story: Youth Pastor, Evangelist Acton Bowen Arrested On Sodomy Charges

Bowen had been in jail in Etowah County since his arrest, and had been accused earlier this year of contacting one of his victims in an attempt to sway the victim's testimony, according to Etowah County Deputy District Attorney Carol Griffith.

A resident of Etowah County, Bowen served as a chaplain in the Summer Olympic Games in London and is the author of "Escape the Noise," which reached the New York Times Best Sellers List and the Amazon Top 100 list. He has also appeared as a guest on Fox News. Bowen's wife filed for divorce upon learning of the allegations against him, and two of the members of the board for his ministry resigned after Bowen's arrest last year.

Bowen faces the maximum sentencing for the charges, which could possibly be a life sentence. A sentencing hearing has not been scheduled.