Humboldt County Office of the District Attorney press release:

Wednesday, a Humboldt County jury convicted 64-year-old Michael Dennis Flowers of all charges brought against him by the District Attorney: rape, forcible sexual penetration, and acquiring a person for purposes of prostitution.  

On March 9 of last year, 24-year-old Jane Doe, with the support of a friend, reported to Rio Dell Police Officer Crystal Landry and Chief Jeff Conner that she had been raped by Flowers.  Her report motivated a multi-agency investigation led by Chief Conner.  The investigation revealed that on February 21, 2020, Doe was driven to the residence of Flowers in the King Salmon area of Eureka by Fortuna resident George C. Feack, who abandoned Doe alone with Flowers.  Ultimately, Flowers raped, forcibly sodomized and sexually penetrated Doe with his hand.  Feack reportedly received $100 from Flowers for delivering Doe.    A forensic exam conducted on March 10, 2020 by Registered Nurse Kristen Hansen of the Sexual Assault Response Team provided evidence consistent with Doe’s description of the assault.  At trial, Doe testified she was fearful of both Flowers and Feack, and she submitted to the sexual abuse by Flowers in part due to what she had been told of his past.      

Flowers was sentenced in Tuolumne County in January 1994 to serve 50 years in prison for committing three counts of continuous sexual abuse of a child (involving three of his step-daughters), and the attempted murder of Flowers’ then wife, who took her children’s reports of sexual abuse by Flowers to law enforcement.   Tuolumne County court records further indicate that charges of sexual molestation of his fourth stepdaughter and arson of an inhabited dwelling were dismissed as part of the negotiated plea.  Flowers was released on parole to Humboldt County in 2018.    

Jane Doe was the key witness in the trial just completed.  Women sexually abused by Flowers during their childhood also provided testimony, as did Flowers’  former wife, who he attempted to murder.   District Attorney Maggie Fleming commented that: “The fortitude of Flowers’ victims in facing the defendant and describing their experiences has enhanced public safety and allowed a measure of justice to be achieved.  Our County owes them a debt of gratitude.” 

Assistant District Attorney Stacey Eads prosecuted the case with the assistance of Chief Investigator Kyla Baxley and Victim Witness Advocate Keosha Chambers.  Attorney Russ Clanton represented Flowers.  

Flowers is scheduled to be sentenced on May 25 at 8:30 a.m. by Judge Wilson, who presided over the trial.  Judge Wilson could sentence Flowers to more than 25-years-to-life in prison.