Bowling Green Man Sentenced to 27 Years and 6 Months in Federal Prison for Online Enticement of Minors

Bowling Green, KY - A Bowling Green man was sentenced on March 10, 2026, for online coercion and enticement of minors, sexual exploitation of a child, receipt of child pornography, cyberstalking and tampering with a witness.

U.S. Attorney Kyle G. Bumgarner of the Western District of Kentucky and Special Agent in Charge Olivia Olson of the FBI Louisville Field Office made the announcement.

James Clark, 40, was sentenced to 27 and a half years in federal prison, followed by a lifetime term of supervised release, for one count of sexual exploitation of children, one count of receipt of child pornography, five counts of online enticement of a minor, one count of cyberstalking and one count of tampering with a witness.

For a span of three years, Clark used social media applications to persuade, induce, entice and coerce five young girls to send him sexually explicit images and videos in exchange for gifts and money. Clark also used threats to coerce young girls to send him sexually explicit images.

United States Attorney Kyle Bumgarner stated, "Clark's conduct was pure evil. A 40-year-old man preying on young girls is hard to comprehend and simply reprehensible. Because of law enforcement's strong work, Clark will not see the light of day for nearly three decades and Bowling Green is better off because of it!"

Special Agent in Charge Olivia Olson stated, "For years, Clark terrorized young girls. He not only solicited sexually explicit images from them for his own personal gain, but he also levied threats against them if they didn't follow through with his demands. His sentence reflects the depravity of his actions, and we hope it serves as a warning to current sex offenders. We will find you and justice will be served."

There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was investigated by the FBI.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Danielle M. Yannelli prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/pscLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link.. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/pscLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. and click on the tab "resources."

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