Detectives have safely removed two children from abuse after they arrested an Antioch man on Thursday who is accused of sexual assault as well as possessing hundreds of files of child sexual abuse material.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday that an investigation has resulted in the arrest of Gene Lowrey, 41, of Antioch, on multiple felony charges.
Sheriff’s detectives arrested Lowrey after an extensive investigation conducted by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Chief Christopher Covelli.
The investigation began while detectives were investigating a separate case involving one of Lowrey’s family members.
A forensic interview was conducted at the Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center and a child disclosed that Lowrey had sexually abused her in 2020 while he was babysitting her and her siblings at a residence in the 26200 block of West Grapevine Avenue in unincorporated Antioch, Covelli said.
Detectives continued their investigation and learned Lowrey had previously been the subject of a 2023 investigation involving suspected child sexual abuse material.
Covelli said investigators obtained possession of Lowrey’s cell phone during that investigation but there was insufficient probable cause to conduct a forensic examination of the device at the time. The phone was still held as potential evidence.
Sheriff’s detectives obtained a search warrant based on information developed during the latest investigation in order to conduct a forensic examination of the phone.
Investigators located approximately 600 files depicting child sexual abuse material during the examination, Covelli said.
The material included images and videos depicting children ranging from infants to teenagers, including graphic depictions of child sexual abuse.
Covelli said detectives also determined Lowrey used online platforms, including Discord, to obtain the material.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved charges of two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, a Class X felony; one count of manufacturing child pornography, a Class X felony; and 11 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material, a Class 2 felony.
An arrest warrant was issued on Thursday and detectives took Lowrey into custody at his residence without incident on the same day.
Detectives identified one child who was a victim of Lowrey, as well as a second child, to whom Lowrey had access.
Both children were removed from Lowrey’s access and are now safe, Covelli said.
“Yet again, this goes to show, our detectives and staff will never give up on a victim,” Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg said.
“Protecting children from those who exploit and abuse them remains one of our highest priorities. Our detectives will continue pursuing every available lead to ensure offenders are held accountable and victims receive the support they deserve,” Idleburg said.
The investigation remains active and additional charges are possible as detectives continue reviewing digital evidence.
Lowrey remains held in the Lake County Jail and is scheduled to appear in Initial Appearance Court on Friday morning.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office intends to file a petition to detain Lowrey in custody while awaiting trial.