John Dennis Bowers

Sources

1. Afton Attorney, Former Deputy Prosecutor, Charged With Solicitation In Idaho, Cowboy State Daily, July 28, 2026.
2. CR04-26-0618 | State of Idaho Plaintiff, vs. John Dennis Bowers Defendant, Idaho Court Records, June 27, 2026.

• 1. Afton Attorney, Former Deputy Prosecutor, Charged With Solicitation In Idaho

  • 20260728
  • News article
  • Cowboy State Daily

  • original
  • archived
  • back to list

  Afton attorney John Bowers, once a Lincoln County deputy prosecutor, is facing a solicitation charge in Idaho after investigators say he offered to pay for a sexual encounter through an app. He says his conduct was "morally wrong" but denies solicitation.

  An Afton attorney who previously served as a Lincoln County deputy prosecutor and was recently a finalist for a Wyoming judgeship is facing a misdemeanor solicitation charge in neighboring Idaho after investigators allege he offered to pay for a sexual encounter through an anonymous dating app.

  John Bowers, 66, was charged July 22 in Bear Lake County with one misdemeanor count of solicitation for commercial sexual activity.

  A probable cause affidavit says the investigation began June 24 after a private citizen contacted the Montpelier Police Department about messages exchanged with Bowers on Sniffies, a location-based social networking app.

  The reporting party, who described himself in the affidavit as someone who reports suspected criminal activity to law enforcement, told police Bowers offered $300 to "party" and said he would bring "party supplies." Investigators interpreted the messages as an offer to pay for a sexual encounter.

  Bowers has pleaded not guilty.
  'This Charge is Frivolous'

  Bowers' attorney, Richard Blok of Pocatello, declined to comment to Cowboy State Daily, saying the Rules of Professional Conduct limited what he could say.

  However, he said a statement he previously provided to an Idaho news outlet remains accurate.

  "Mr. Bowers is innocent of the charge,” Blok said in the statement. "This charge is frivolous and should never have been brought."

  A pretrial conference is scheduled for Sept. 9 in Bear Lake County.
  Search Leads To Wyoming Office

  On May 21, investigators with the Montpelier Police Department, assisted by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, contacted Bowers outside his Afton law office while executing a search warrant for his electronic devices. After returning to the office, Bowers agreed to speak with investigators and surrendered his cellphone.

  The affidavit notes investigators later recovered digital evidence they believe linked Bowers to the account used in the conversations, including a Gmail account allegedly created the same day under the name "Jack Black" that received a Sniffies activation email.

  During the interview, Bowers acknowledged using the app and exchanging messages but denied intending to solicit prostitution.

  "I truly didn't think I was soliciting," Bowers told investigators.

  Bowers also described his conduct as "morally wrong and inappropriate" while maintaining he never intended to arrange a commercial sexual encounter.
  Well-Known Wyoming Attorney

  Bowers has practiced law in western Wyoming for decades and previously served as a deputy prosecutor in the Lincoln County Attorney's Office.

  Last November, he was one of three finalists selected by the Wyoming Judicial Nominating Commission for a Lincoln County Circuit Court judgeship. Gov. Mark Gordon ultimately appointed Judge Thomas Deering to the bench.

  Cowboy State Daily also contacted the Wyoming State Bar seeking information about Bowers' status as a licensed attorney and whether the bar had taken any action in response to the Idaho criminal charge.

  Deputy Bar Counsel Brandon Booth declined to answer questions about Bowers specifically.

  Asked generally about the bar's policy when a licensed attorney is charged with a misdemeanor, Booth said attorneys have reporting obligations "depending on the result of the allegations."

  Kolby Fedore can be reached at kolby@cowboystatedaily.com.

• 2. CR04-26-0618 | State of Idaho Plaintiff, vs. John Dennis Bowers Defendant

  • 20260627
  • News article
  • Idaho Court Records

  • original
  • archived
  • back to list

  Case Information

  CR04-26-0618 | State of Idaho Plaintiff, vs. John Dennis Bowers Defendant.

  Case Number
  CR04-26-0618

  Court
  Bear Lake Magistrate Court

  Judicial Officer
  Garbett, R. Todd

  File Date
  06/27/2026

  Case Type
  Criminal

  Case Status
  Active - Pending
  Party

  State
  State of Idaho

  Active Attorneys
  Lead Attorney
  Wood, Steven Douglas

  Defendant
  Bowers, John Dennis

  DOB
  XX/XX/1960

  Active Attorneys
  Lead Attorney
  Blok, Richard Jan

  Retained
  Charge
  Charges
  Bowers, John Dennis
  Description Citation Statute Level Date
  1 Soliciting Commercial Sexual Activity - 1st Offense 17652 I18-5614_M1 Misdemeanor 06/26/2026

  Disposition Events

  06/29/2026 Plea

  Judicial Officer
  Garbett, R. Todd
  1
  Soliciting Commercial Sexual Activity - 1st Offense

  Not Guilty

  06/27/2026 New Case - Criminal

  06/27/2026 Citation Filed

  06/27/2026 Citation Information Report

  06/29/2026 Notice-Appear of Attorney/Plea-Not Guilty/Request Jury Trial

  Comment
  Notice of Appearance, Waiver of Arraignment and Plea

  06/29/2026 Request for Discovery

  Comment
  Request for Discovery

  06/29/2026 Demand for Sworn Complaint

  Comment
  Demand for Sworn Complaint

  06/29/2026 Notice of Hearing

  07/08/2026 Arraignment

  Judicial Officer
  Garbett, R. Todd

  Hearing Time
  9:30 AM

  Cancel Reason
  Vacated

  07/10/2026 Notice of Service of Discovery Requests

  Comment
  State's Notice of Service - Request for Discovery

  07/10/2026 Request for Discovery

  Comment
  State's Request for Discovery

  07/10/2026 Notice

  Comment
  State's Notice of Service - Re: Response to Discovery

  07/17/2026 Stipulation to Continue

  Comment
  Stipulation to Continue

  07/20/2026 Order to Continue

  07/22/2026 Criminal Complaint

  07/22/2026 Stipulation to Continue

  Comment
  Stipulation to Continue

  07/22/2026 Order to Continue

  09/09/2026 Pre-trial Conference

  Judicial Officer
  Garbett, R. Todd

  Hearing Time
  9:00 AM