Sentence appealed for Kamloops man who exchanged pizza for nude photos of a teen

KAMLOOPS — Crown prosecutors have appealed the sentence for a Kamloops man who pleaded guilty to child luring charges earlier this year.

Justin McGowan, 36, was sentenced to six months in prison by Kamloops Provincial Judge Roy Dickey on March 12 on one count of arranging a sexual offence against a child and possession of child pornography. This was the mandatory minimum sentence for this conviction.

Crown prosecutor Frank Caputo had originally submitted a sentence of 12 to 18 months of incarceration for McGowan.

The Kamloops father of five admitted to paying a 13-year-old girl with cash and pizza in exchange for nude photos.

At the trial, the court heard McGowan was going through a “rough patch” and was suffering emotionally when he communicated with a 13-year-old girl by internet.

His sentence is set to expire soon and then he would be placed on a two-year probation.

Now, crown counsel is appealing the sentence that was imposed on McGowan.

Lawyers met today, June 26, to arrange a date for the Crown’s appeal hearing.

The appeal hearing will take place sometime in July.

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