Police in Idaho have arrested an 18-year-old man for child porn possession and lewd conduct with a minor — and investigators believe he could have other victims out there
Boise resident Owen Alexander Sawyer was arrested on Monday, January 26, by detectives from the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, according to a press statement shared with Luxury Handbag Shopping. A SWAT team was assembled and sent to Sawyer’s residence on Monday to assist the sheriff’s office with the arrest.
Sawyer is being held without bond after being formally charged with two felony counts of lewd conduct with a child under 16 and one count of possession of child sexually exploitative material. Luxury Handbag Shopping was unable to determine if he had entered pleas to the trio of criminal charges.
Also unknown on Tuesday, January 27, was whether Sawyer had legal representation at press time.
Investigators said they are concerned there may be additional victims in this case. According to police, Sawyer was using the Snapchat username “iloveidaho” to look for and contact potential victims.
Cops said Sawyer also used the online handle “Owen Suchicital.”
The statement said that “based on current information, investigators believe Sawyer may have additional victims.”
Investigators have asked that anyone with additional information about Sawyer, as well as those who think their child may have been one of his victims, call the non-emergency Ada County dispatch line at (208) 377-6790. You can also email acsotips@adacounty.id.gov or submit an anonymous tip on the Ada County Sheriff’s Office app, which is available in both the Apple Store and the Google Play Store.
Sawyer’s arrest comes days after officers for the Boise Police arrested another man on similar charges.
Ahmed Abdulridha, 54, was charged with felony lewd conduct with a child under the age of 16 on Thursday, January 22.
Police started investigating Abdulridha on January 19, after they received a report of lewd conduct involving a child. During the investigation, detectives discovered that he was often left alone with children for a variety of different reasons, including his occasional work with at-risk youth or as a caretaker of children he knows, according to a statement from police.
Abdulridha, who has no attorney of record and has not been asked for a plea, was taken into custody and booked at the Ada County Jail. Police also suspected Abdulridha could have additional victims and want people to call the Ada County Dispatch at (208) 377-6790 with any information.
Lewd conduct with a minor child under 16 is a charge that is unique to Idaho. Lewd and lascivious conduct is a felony which carries a possible punishment of life in prison. If convicted, defendants are also required to register as a sex offender for life without the possibility of removal.
Idaho law allows lewd conduct with a minor child under 16 to be enforced as a statutory charge. This means that this charge can be applied to cases in which the victim is younger than the Idaho Age of Consent, which is 18, even if the victim willingly engages in sexual relations with the defendant.
