A child’s family reported online sexual exploitation to police, helping investigators identify a Canton man who has now been convicted in federal court, prosecutors said.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney John Sarcone III credited the family’s report and urged parents and guardians to watch who their children communicate with online in announcing the conviction of Robert Bowen, 46.
Bowen used Roblox and later cellphone messages to communicate with an 8-year-old child in June 2025. Trial evidence showed that he sent pornographic material, requested sexually explicit images and videos of the child, received material and asked for more.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brenda Sannes found Bowen guilty of sexual exploitation of a child and receipt of child pornography after hearing the case in a Syracuse bench trial.
The case involved investigators working across state lines. Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation with assistance from State Police and the Lombard Police Department in Illinois. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ben Gillis and Tamara Thomson are prosecuting.
Bowen is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 11, 2027. The sexual exploitation conviction carries a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 30 years, a fine of up to $250,000 and supervised release ranging from five years to life.
He will also be required to register as a sex offender.
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