A former youth evangelist awaiting trial on dozens of sex-related crimes involving teen boys has contacted at least one of them from jail, according to court records.

Prosecutors on Friday filed a request that a judge set limitations on Acton Bowen’s contacts outside the jail. Bowen, charged in both Jefferson County and Etowah counties, is facing at least 28 criminal charges on crimes including enticing a child for sexual act, sodomy, traveling to meet a child for sexual act and sexual abuse involving at least six different victims between the ages of 13 and 16. He was first arrested by Hoover police in April 2018 and has remained jailed since then.

According to court filing by Etowah County Deputy District Attorney Carol Griffith, at least one of the victims had been contacted directly by Bowen via text message or email while he’s been jailed in the Etowah County Detention Center. “The state reviewed jail records which confirmed the victim’s report,’’ Griffith wrote. “The defendant’s messages also appear to indicate that there has been contact with other victims, either directly or indirectly, while the cases were pending.”

Jail records show eight messages were sent from Bowen to the victim between Feb. 10 and April 2, records state. “The contents of the messages clearly indicate an intent to influence the victim’s feelings, and potentially his testimony…and to discourage the victim from cooperating with prosecution of this case,’’ Griffith wrote.

The prosecutor also stated that Bowen had tried to contact the same victim while he was in custody in Jefferson County. She said an investigation is ongoing to determine whether Bowen will be charged with any additional crimes for attempting to improperly influence the victim’s testimony.

“The state contends that all crime victims should be protected from harassment or intimidation by a defendant pending trial, no matter the charges are, but even mores o in cases involving physical or sexual abuse of a child,’’ Griffith wrote. She went on to say that they only want to ensure that Bowen cannot continue to contact the victims is to order jail officials to limit his ability to communicate with anybody outside of the jail. A judge has not yet ruled on the request.

The 38-year-old Bowen is Gadsden native and founder of Acton Bowen Outreach Ministries.

Bowen is set to go on trial in Jefferson County in May. Authorities in both counties have asked a judge to order a mental evaluation of Bowen, who has pleaded not guilty by reason of mental defect. A trial date for earlier this year in Etowah County was postponed pending that mental evaluation.

Bowen’s attorneys had also requested that Bowen be placed in a substance abuse program, claiming he had “experience issues regarding alcohol and sometimes other substance that would warrant the need for extended treatment related to those issues.”

Griffith argued against substance abuse treatment for Bowen, arguing that ‘issues regarding alcohol and other substances” does not rise to that level and that placing him in such a program might prevent another inmate who has addiction problems from timely receiving the treatment they need.