SALEM, Ore. — A Marion County man has been sentenced to 35 years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple felony sex crimes involving a child, according to the Marion County District Attorney’s Office.
Daniel S. Bowdoin, 38, was sentenced Monday by Marion County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Hart to 420 months in the custody of the Oregon Department of Corrections. Bowdoin pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree sodomy and one count of first-degree sexual abuse.
Prosecutors said the case involved the repeated sexual abuse of a child younger than 12 over a two-year period. The victim was known to Bowdoin and had a close relationship with him. Authorities said the abuse came to light after the child disclosed what had happened.
Following the disclosure, Bowdoin admitted to some of his actions by sending a confession letter to family members and friends, according to prosecutors. However, authorities said he later attempted to contact the victim on two separate occasions.
Bowdoin, who was involved in the track and field community, remained out of custody while the case was pending. During that time, he was ordered to have no contact with minors and prohibited from attending places where children commonly gather.
Court records indicate Bowdoin sought permission to have contact with middle school-aged children and attend track and field events, but the court denied those requests.
Despite those restrictions, prosecutors said Bowdoin had repeated contact with a 4-year-old child and attended a company picnic where minors were present while awaiting further court proceedings. After those violations were brought to the court’s attention, his release was revoked and he was taken into custody.
“This type of conduct is among the most severe that our office handles,” said District Attorney-elect Brendan Murphy in a statement. “Our hearts go out to his victim, as no child should suffer this way. We hope for healing and recovery.”
Under Oregon’s Ballot Measure 11 sentencing laws, first-degree sodomy carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 300 months, while first-degree sexual abuse carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 75 months. Judge Hart ordered the two sodomy convictions to run partially consecutive, resulting in a total sentence of 35 years.
The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Katharine Semple, a veteran prosecutor with more than a decade of experience handling serious criminal cases in Marion County.
The Marion County District Attorney’s Office also credited Liberty House and the Salem Police Department for their work in investigating the case and supporting the victim.
Because the case involved a child victim, authorities said no additional details will be released.
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