Southern California man convicted of molesting young girls

A Ventura County man was convicted of molesting young girls on multiple occasions.

Steven Wayne Bower, 54, of Ojai, was found guilty of molesting two girls who were 5 and 9 years old at the time, according to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.

The molestations began in 2003 and involved three incidents, authorities said. Bower was a family friend of the young victims’ parents.

Two incidents occurred when Bower was on a camping trip with the girls and the third molestation happened while he was babysitting one of the girls, the DA’s office said.

He was convicted Wednesday of three felony counts of lewd acts upon a child.

The jury also found true several special allegations including Bower having substantial sexual conduct and the case involving multiple victims.

“Today’s verdict is a testament to the strength and resilience of the victims and their families, who have waited nearly a decade for justice,” said Melissa Suttner, a deputy district attorney who prosecuted the case. “Despite the unimaginable pain and delay, they never gave up hope. We are grateful the jury held the defendant accountable, and we hope this decision brings some measure of closure and healing to those affected.”

Bower is being held without bail in Ventura County Jail.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled on Nov. 12. If convicted on all charges, he faces up to 45 years to life in prison.

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