Former FBI agent indicted for stealing drug money
A Moreno Valley man who used to be a special agent with the FBI was indicted Wednesday for allegedly stealing over $100,000 of drug proceeds, which were seized during search warrants in 2014, and obstructing justice by trying to cover up the theft.
According to a release from the Department of Justice, 44-year-old Scott M. Bowman was charged with three counts of conversion of property by a federal employee, three counts of obstruction of justice, two counts of money laundering, one count of falsification of records and one count of witness tampering.
The indictment was unsealed on Thursday and alleges that Bowman misappropriated over $100,000 of drug proceeds which were seized in June and August of 2014 during the execution of three search warrants.
“As alleged, former Agent Bowman put his own greed above the trust placed in him by the FBI and the American public,” said Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell. “Corrupt law enforcement agents not only compromise those investigations in which they are involved, but also damage the reputations of fellow law enforcement officers who are dedicated to public service and the protection of all Americans.”
Bowman is accused of using the stolen money to purchase a 2012 Dodge Challenger and a 2013 Toyota Scion FR-S, and then spending $26,612 to buy speakers, rims and tires, according to the Department of Justice.
The indictment also alleges Bowman spent $15,000 of the stolen money to pay for cosmetic surgery for his spouse, and opened a checking account to deposit $10,665 of the misappropriated funds. Officials said a portion of the deposited money was also used to pay for a weekend at a luxury resort and casino in Las Vegas.
Bowman is also accused of falsifying official FBI reports connected with one of the seizures. According to the indictment, Bowman endorsed and altered an evidence receipt by forging the signature of a police detective next to his own name. And to cover up the forgery, he apparently emailed the detective with a detailed cover story in case anyone asked about the incident and provided a copy of the forged receipt.
Officials said the charges are just accusations at this point, and the case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Robert J. Heberle and Lauren Bell of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section.
News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 will follow the case closely and deliver updates as the investigation moves forward.
