Arvada Firefighter Child Porn Arrest: Michael Gowey Charged

ARVADA, CO -- An Arvada firefighter and Lakewood resident was charged with nine counts of sexually exploiting a child after a multi-state sting found that he was allegedly sending and receiving child porn images through an app.

Michael Gowey, 35, of Lakewood, a seven-year veteran of the Arvada Fire Department, was arrested Monday and posted $40,000 bond.

Nashville investigators found a profile on the social app Kik under the name "softballgrl32" who allegedly sent 14 child porn photos to a Nashville man and asked for an Amazon gift card in exchange, according to the arrest affidavit. The sender claimed four of the photos were of a six-year-old niece being abused by a woman named "Jen Thomas." The recipient of the photos, in turn sent one child porn image to softballgrl32. In addition, an email address linked to Gowey was used to receive eight child porn videos and send one, the affidavit states.

Police traced the profile to an IP address at Gowey's Lakewood address in the 10800 block of West Connecticut Avenue. Gowey reportedly admitted using the Kik app to send "sexually exploitative material" when officers arrived at his house with a search warrant in November, 2017. He told investigators he had made a mistake and said it was "just one or two times, I think. I don't remember to be honest with you." Gowey denied receiving anything of value (such as an Amazon gift card) in exchange for the photos and denied ever sexually exploiting a child.

The Arvada Fire Protection District fired Gowey when he was arrested.

“All of us at the Arvada Fire Protection District are shocked, angry, and saddened by the level of the allegations that have come forth," said a message from Arvada Fire Chief Jon Greer on the fire department's website. "Mr. Gowey’s employment with the District ended as soon as we became aware of his arrest and the charges leveled against him. We want to assure the public that the alleged incomprehensible behavior of Mr. Gowey is not representative in any way of the values of our organization, our members or our community,” the statement said.

“Please join all of the members of the Arvada Fire Protection District in praying for victims of sexual exploitation and their families.”

Gowey's next court date is a preliminary hearing set for April 24.

Image Michael Gowey via JeffCo Sheriff's Office