Bowers pleads to felony charge

A former Jay School Corporation teacher pleaded guilty Monday to dissemination of matter that is harmful to minors.

Joel R. Bowers, 38, 116 S. Middle St., Portland, pleaded guilty to the Level 6 felony, admitting he knowingly or intentionally sent a picture of his genitalia through a messaging platform to a minor on or about April 9, 2024.

 As part of his plea agreement, a Level 6 felony for performance before a minor that is harmful to minors was dismissed.

Bowers was sentenced to 545 days in Jay County Jail, with all but 44 days of his sentence to be served on probation.

Bowers had been accused of masturbating in front of an eighth grade class on April 9, 2024. Following administrative leave from Jay County Junior-Senior High School in April as a result of misconduct allegations, the former social studies teacher later resigned from his role. He was arrested in October and charged with two Level 6 felonies.

Bowers also previously served as chair of the Democratic Party in Jay County, having resigned his post shortly after allegations cropped up.

According to reports filed in connection with the case, a 14-year-old girl told school resource officer Cody Jessee on April 10 that Bowers masturbated in her sixth period class at the junior-senior high the previous day. Other students also witnessed the alleged incident and reported similar views.

Bowers denied touching himself in class.

While looking through Bowers’ phone, police discovered a Snapchat conversation Bowers had with a person, “TS,” who indicated they were 15 years old. According to the report, Bowers sent pictures of his erect penis to the recipient. The report indicates there were other conversations in which he sent nude pictures of himself to females as well.

Bowers told police the conversations had nothing to do with the April 9 incident. He told police he believed “TS” was an adult because they met on a chat platform called Free Chat Now, which requires that individuals must be 18 years old or older to use it. 

Bowers said they couldn't exchange photos on the platform and switched to Snapchat to engage in what he allegedly called “age play.”

Bowers admitted to police he should have stopped the conversation when the person said they were 15, according to the report.

Attorney Jacob Dunnuck noted Monday that Bowers’ teaching license has been revoked as a result of his actions. 

“He singlehandedly destroyed that,” noted Dunnuck.

He referenced Bowers’ wife Roxane Bowers and two children, pointing out the family has worried about lost income as a result of Joel Bowers losing his license.

Roxane Bowers explained on the stand how her youngest child was recently diagnosed with autism. She said her biggest worry moving forward will be how their children will be impacted.

Dunnuck said the consequences of Joel Bowers’ actions will fall on his wife and children, saying “he’s got a lot to make up for.”

As a part of the plea, Joel Bowers’ sentence was locked in at 545 days in Jay County Jail. Jay Superior Court judge Gail Dues had the deciding factor in how much of the sentence was spent on probation.

Dunnuck asked the court to allow Bowers to spend the entirety of his sentence on probation, pointing to his lack of a criminal history and family responsibilities.

“I don’t think you’re going to see Joel Bowers again,” he said.

Dues ordered Bowers to serve 46 days in jail. Taking into account his two days of credit, that puts Bowers at a 44-day sentence, with the remaining 499 days to be served on probation.

While she acknowledged Bowers’ lack of a criminal history, Dues also pointed out he had been a teacher. Not only are teachers there to educate, she continued, but also to guide and protect students.

“I believe you fully understood the consequences of your action when you hit send,” she said.