An Antioch man has been arrested on child sex assault and pornography charges following a long-term investigation, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office said Friday.
Gene Lowrey, 41, of the 200 block of Joanna Court, was taken into custody on Wednesday.
While conducting a separate investigation into someone familiar to Lowrey, the Lake County Child Advocacy Center interviewed a child who told them that Lowrey had abused her in 2020, the sheriff’s office said.
As detectives continued their probe, they learned that Lowrey had been the subject of a 2023 investigation. As part of that inquiry, police seized his cellphone, but there was insufficient probable cause to examine it. Authorities, however, retained the phone.
Based on the new allegations, detectives obtained a search warrant to examine the phone. They found about 600 files containing child sexual abuse material. Police also learned that Lowrey used online platforms to obtain the material.
He was 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.
“Yet again, this goes to show our detectives and staff will never give up on a victim,” 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.”
Personal watercraft
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit will once again be taking to the waterways on personal watercraft as part of a collaboration with a local business and Sea Doo.
The sheriff’s office has obtained two personal watercraft to use this summer through Sea Doo’s national loan program for law enforcement and via Nielsen Enterprises.
The craft will be used for enforcement, patrol, and for water rescue and emergency use.
“This partnership continues to provide our Marine Unit with valuable resources that enhance our ability to protect those who enjoy Lake County’s waterways,” Idleburg said. “We are grateful to Nielsen Enterprises and Sea Doo for their valued commitment to public safety.
“These PWCs allow our deputies to respond quickly, access areas traditional boats cannot, and help ensure a safe boating season for everyone on our waterways,” he said.
“The lakes throughout Lake County are some of our greatest treasures, and I’m proud to help coordinate the support given to the Lake County Sheriff’s Marine Unit,” Mike Missak from Nielsen Enterprises said.
The Marine Unity will use the PWCs in Lake Michigan, on the Chain O’ Lakes and other inland waterways.
Prison sentence
An eight-year-old drug-homicide case concluded this month with the sentencing of a Waukegan man to 26 years in prison, according to court records.
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Darryl Henderson, 35, pleaded guilty to the manufacture and delivery of heroin as part of a negotiated plea with Lake County prosecutors.
He was charged with drug-induced homicide in 2018, after authorities alleged he supplied heroin that led to the overdose death of a Mundelein man, according to reports. Henderson’s case was delayed for a period of years when he skipped his bond and dropped from sight. He was eventually returned to custody.
His plea agreement was concluded on June 11. Prosecutors dropped the drug homicide charge and several other counts in exchange for Henderson’s guilty plea.
Stay safe
A safe and happy Fourth of July to all, and a reminder that police agencies across the area will be on the lookout for speeders, impaired drivers and seatbelt scofflaws between now and the holiday.
So don’t drive high or drunk and use your safety belts.