MDGA Press Release

DATE: February 23, 2007
CONTACT: Sue McKinney

GEORGIA MAN INDICTED ON CHILD EXPLOITATION CHARGES
MACON, Ga. – An Americus, Ga. man was arrested yesterday after being indicted on Feb. 7, 2007, by a federal grand jury charging him with transporting a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, receipt of child pornography, and possession of child pornography. The indictment alleges that on or about July 1, 2000, Thomas Conrad Lowery, 47, knowingly transported a minor—who was less than 16 years of age—from Georgia to Canada, for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual activity. The indictment also alleges that in 2005, he received and attempted to receive, and possessed images of child pornography. The indictment was previously sealed, but was unsealed today upon Lowery’s initial appearance. If convicted, Lowery faces five to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a lifetime period of supervised release. An indictment is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty at trial beyond a reasonable doubt. The case was investigated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The case is being prosecuted by AUSA Leah McEwen of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia and Michael Yoon, Trial Attorney with the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section of the United States Department of Justice.

RETURN TO PRESS RELEASES

MACON, Ga. – An Americus, Ga. man was arrested yesterday after being indicted on Feb. 7, 2007, by a federal grand jury charging him with transporting a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, receipt of child pornography, and possession of child pornography.

The indictment alleges that on or about July 1, 2000, Thomas Conrad Lowery, 47, knowingly transported a minor—who was less than 16 years of age—from Georgia to Canada, for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual activity. The indictment also alleges that in 2005, he received and attempted to receive, and possessed images of child pornography. The indictment was previously sealed, but was unsealed today upon Lowery’s initial appearance. If convicted, Lowery faces five to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a lifetime period of supervised release.

An indictment is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty at trial beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case was investigated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The case is being prosecuted by AUSA Leah McEwen of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia and Michael Yoon, Trial Attorney with the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section of the United States Department of Justice.