Antioch man charged with possession of child sex abuse materials

An Antioch man faces multiple felony charges of sexual assault and child sexual abuse, according to Lake County sheriff’s police.

Gene Lowrey, 41, of the 200 block of Joanna Court, was arrested Thursday after an extensive investigation by the Lake County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division.

Detectives were investigating a separate case involving one of Lowrey’s family members. During a forensic interview at the Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center, a child disclosed that Lowrey had sexually abused her in 2020 while he was babysitting her and her siblings at a residence in an unincorporated area near Antioch, authorities said.

Investigators learned Lowrey previously had been the subject of a 2023 investigation involving suspected child sexual abuse material. During that investigation, investigators obtained Lowrey’s cellular phone, officials said. However, at that time, there was insufficient probable cause to conduct a forensic examination of the device, authorities said.

Sheriff’s detectives held on to the cellular phone as potential evidence.

Based on information discovered during the current investigation, sheriff's detectives obtained a search warrant to conduct a forensic examination of the phone.

Investigators subsequently found about 600 files depicting child sexual abuse material, including images and videos depicting children ranging from infants to teenagers, and graphic depictions of child sexual abuse, authorities said.

Detectives also determined Lowrey used online platforms, including Discord, to obtain child sexual abuse material.

Lowrey is charged with two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, one count of manufacturing child pornography, and 11 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material, all felonies.

Detectives identified one child victim and another child to whom Lowrey had access. Both children have been removed from Lowrey’s access and are now safe, police said.

Lowrey is being held at the Lake County jail.

The Lake County state’s attorney’s office intends to file a petition to detain Lowrey in custody while awaiting trial.