Antioch, Illinois – A 35-year-old man is facing multiple felony charges after investigators say he fabricated a story to cover up possession of explicit material involving a child, prompting a swift and extensive investigation in Lake County.
According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, deputies first encountered Stuart M. Lowrey on March 25 around 3:30 p.m. in the 42400 block of North Poplar Avenue. Lowrey initially claimed an unknown woman handed him a phone containing illegal material. Detectives later determined that account was false after inconsistencies emerged during questioning.
Investigators say Lowrey ultimately admitted to fabricating the story. A forensic review of his phone uncovered numerous explicit videos, including content investigators allege he created using images of a child and the child’s mother. Authorities also confirmed the case is tied to an ongoing custody dispute.
The child was placed into protective custody through the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, and additional digital devices were seized from the home for analysis.
Lowrey has been charged with five counts of producing child exploitation material, among other offenses, and remains held in the Lake County Jail pending trial. Officials say the investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may follow.
