Man Charged with Child Pornography Possession and Distribution

25-year-old former high school coach arrested after year-long investigation

Mar. 14, 2026 at 1:33am

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Louis Delano Bowles, III, a 25-year-old resident of Waldorf, Maryland, was arrested on March 9 and charged with 20 counts of possession of child pornography and 5 counts of promoting/distributing child pornography. The investigation was initiated after a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about an unknown suspect uploading child pornography in Charles County. Detectives executed a search warrant at Bowles' residence, where they recovered numerous electronic devices and a small quantity of psilocybin mushrooms. The forensic review revealed hundreds of images, videos, and messages containing child pornography. Bowles had previously worked as a coach of track and football at a local high school from 2022-2025, but there is no indication he targeted high school-aged students.

Why it matters

The arrest of Bowles highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat the exploitation of minors through the possession and distribution of child pornography. This case also raises concerns about the potential for individuals in positions of trust, such as coaches, to abuse their authority and access to vulnerable youth.

The details

The investigation began after detectives from the Charles County Sheriff's Office Special Victims Unit received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about an unknown suspect uploading child pornography in the county. The year-long investigation involved multiple subpoenas, cell phone data analysis, and forensic examinations. Detectives executed a search warrant at Bowles' residence in White Plains, where they recovered numerous electronic devices and a small quantity of psilocybin mushrooms. The forensic review of the seized devices revealed hundreds of images, videos, and messages containing child pornography.

  • On March 9, 2026, Charles County Sheriff's officers arrested Louis Delano Bowles, III.
  • In late February 2026, Bowles was indicted by a Charles County Grand Jury.

The players

Louis Delano Bowles, III

A 25-year-old resident of Waldorf, Maryland, who was arrested and charged with 20 counts of possession of child pornography and 5 counts of promoting/distributing child pornography.

Charles County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that conducted the investigation and made the arrest of Bowles.

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

The organization that provided the tip to the Charles County Sheriff's Office that initiated the investigation.

Maurice McDonough High School

The high school where Bowles had worked as a coach of track and football from 2022-2025.

Charles County Public Schools

The school district that was notified of the investigation and took immediate steps to prohibit Bowles from being on school property.

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What they’re saying

“Anyone who may have had contact with Bowles that appeared to be inappropriate is urged to contact Detective Garner at the Charles County Sheriff's Office.”

— Detective Garner

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Louis Delano Bowles, III to be released on electronic monitoring.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat the exploitation of minors through child pornography, as well as the need for vigilance and reporting of any suspicious behavior by individuals in positions of trust, such as coaches, to protect vulnerable youth.