Gymnastics coach's bond set at $200,000 in child porn case

A judge set bond at $200,000 Thursday for a St. Charles gymnastics coach accused of possession of child pornography.

Shawn C. Bowlden, 33, of St. Charles must post $20,000 to be free pending his trial. If he does, he cannot have contact with minors, will be prohibited from taking pictures of children or frequenting places where they gather, no access to the Internet, and must wear a GPS anklet.

"It allows us to keep track of his whereabouts," said Assistant State's Attorney Justin Fitzsimmons.

Bowlden, an hourly coach at the St. Charles Gymnastics Academy, appeared before Judge Linda Abrahamson wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and handcuffs.

He is charged with 10 counts of possession of child pornography from Jan. 14 to Feb. 2. Each charge carries a two- to five-year prison term if he is convicted but also is punishable by probation.

Bowlden's arrest Wednesday and search of his residence was the culmination of a monthlong investigation involving St. Charles police, the Illinois attorney general's office and the Kane County state's attorney's office.

According to police, additional child pornography charges were pending Thursday against a second suspect who was taken into custody about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday. The St. Charles man came under suspicion during the search of Bowlden's house this week, police said.

Police say there is no evidence suggesting any inappropriate conduct between Bowlden and the gymnasts.

Fitzsimmons declined to say whether a forensic search of Bowlden's computer was complete.

If investigators determine Bowlden sent any of the images or videos to others, additional charges could be filed.

Prior to his arrest Wednesday, his other scrapes with the law in Kane County were only traffic violations, according to court records.

He is due in court on Oct. 26.

Investigators are asking anyone with additional information about the case to call (630) 443-3732.