SULLIVAN’S ISLAND, S.C. (WCIV) — Eric Bowman, a 45-year-old Charleston-area entrepreneur and former soccer team owner, was arrested on Tuesday after turning himself in to police. He faces charges of first-degree harassment and stalking, stemming from allegations made by his estranged wife.
Bowman’s arrest followed a months-long investigation that began in July 2024 when a woman discovered a tracking device attached to her car. According to reports from the Sullivan’s Island Police Department (SIPD), the woman’s father found the device during a trip to New York. After removing the device, he returned it to South Carolina, where it was later reported to authorities.
The investigation continued into September, and the SIPD consulted with the 9th Circuit District Solicitor Scarlett Wilson for guidance. By October, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) became involved after the tracking device was traced, leading investigators to conclude that a legal violation had occurred.
On February 13, 2025, the case took a significant turn when a woman came forward to express her concerns about Eric Bowman following Rep. Nancy Mace’s House floor speech the previous day. The woman, who was allegedly targeted by Bowman and others, described a pattern of physical abuse, nonconsensual recordings, and sexual misconduct.
In response, warrants for harassment and stalking were signed on April 4, 2025. Bowman’s attorney later confirmed that he would turn himself in, which he did on Tuesday. He appeared in bond court and was granted a $10,000 surety bond. The court also issued a no-contact order, barring Bowman from contacting the victim.
Bowman’s wife, Melissa Britton, spoke during the hearing, urging the court to set the highest bond conditions, emphasizing the ongoing danger she believes Bowman poses to her and others. She testified that she left their home in April 2023 after Bowman’s escalating threats and violence, and she accused him of using the GPS data from her car to monitor her movements.
In a statement following Bowman’s arrest, Rep. Nancy Mace called him a “predator” and emphasized the importance of holding individuals accountable for harming women and children. “Justice is coming,” Mace stated.
Bowman, who has been separated from Britton since November 2023, denied the allegations and questioned why his wife hadn’t filed for divorce instead of pressing charges.
