Sex offender arrested in Burbank pleads not guilty to possessing child porn

A 69-year-old convicted sex offender pleaded not guilty Friday to one felony count of possessing child pornography, which police said was found during a routine traffic stop in Burbank.

Donald Cowan of Moreno Valley was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of possessing child pornography after officers allegedly found digital images of underage girls in his car.

Cowan was stopped in the 1900 block of North Ontario Street, near Providencia Elementary School, for allegedly not wearing his seatbelt, said Burbank Police Sgt. Darin Ryburn.

Cowan allegedly told officers that he did not have his driver’s license but was a registered sex offender.

During a search of his car, officers allegedly found clothing for young girls and 19 digital photos of underage girls “involved in sexual acts,” Ryburn said.

Riverside County Superior Court records show that Cowan was convicted of lewd conduct in public in 2000. About seven years later, he was convicted of failing to register as a sex offender, Riverside court records show.

Cowan was described by police as white with short brown hair and blue eyes, about 5 feet, 4 inches tall and as weighing 115 pounds. He was wearing a long-sleeved denim shirt and blue jeans at the time of his arrest, according to police.

He was driving a 2000 gold Toyota Camry.

Burbank police asked that anyone who may recognize the Cowan’s vehicle, or have any other information, call Det. Jeff Lamoureaux at (818) 238-3246.

-- Alene Tchekmedyian, Times Community News

Follow Alene Tchekmedyian on Google+ and on Twitter: @atchek.