Ojai Valley Man Found Guilty Of Extensive Child Sexual Abuse

Wednesday September 25, 2024

(Photo VCSO)

     It took less than a day for a Ventura County jury to convict an Ojai Valley man of extensive child sexual abuse.

     The jury found 54-year-old Steven Bower guilty on three counts of Lewd Act Upon a Child.

     They also found true special allegations that there was substantial sexual conduct and multiple victims.

     When he was arrested in June of 2015 the Ventura County Sheriff's Office said there were three female victims ages 6,8, and 9.

     The DA's office indicated there were only two victims.

     The crimes happened in 2003 when Bower was on camping trips with the girls or babysitting one of the girls.

     Bower was friends with their parents.

     Bower testified in his own defense.

     He had been free on bail but following his conviction the judge ordered him taken into custody with no chance of bail.

     Bower is set to be sentenced on November 12th and he is facing a maximum possible sentence of 45-years-to-life in state prison.