Joseph Bowers

MARQUETTE — A Marquette man faces multiple felony counts after authorities accused him of having, making and distributing child sexually abusive material on the internet.

Joseph Francis Bowers, 31, was arraigned Friday in the 96th District Court of Marquette County on five counts of possession of child sexually abusive material – aggravated and five counts of using a computer to commit a crime, according to a news release from the Michigan State Police Computer Crimes Unit and Michigan Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Bowers was arrested off an investigation that was launched when it was learned Bowers was possessing, manufacturing and distributing child sexually abusive material on the internet. Digital evidence was seized during a search after the arrest, according to the MSP CCU and ICAC Task Force.

If convicted, Bowers faces up to 25 years in prison for possession of child sexually abusive material – aggravated, and 20 years in prison for using a computer to commit a crime. He is considered innocent unless proven guilty.

The MSP Computer Crimes Unit encourages parents to speak to their children and family members about safe use of the internet. Many resources are available to assist in keeping people safe online. The Michigan ICAC Task Force provides a comprehensive list of resources on their website at https://www.michigan.gov/icac.