Youth Minister Faces Court Date For Sex Crimes Involving The Internet
- November 9, 2008
Daniel Lowhorn
Charged Thursday with 14 counts of sex crimes against minors, Daniel Lowhorn now faces a December 17 General Sessions court date.
Lowhorn’s arrest followed an investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Rutherford County Sheriff’s office and sheriff’s Detective Steve Brown and Putnam County sheriff’s detectives.
Putnam Sheriff’s Detective Higgenbotham reported that he was contacted about the case in late October by TBI Agent Dan Friel, working with the Rutherford authorities.
As part of the investigation, a Rutherford law officer reportedly posed as a minor female on an Internet chat room.
A search warrant was served on November 6 at the Midway Baptist Church where Lowhorn worked and later at his home, where he was arrested.
Lowhorn was booked into the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center and was later released on $280,000 bond.
Daniel Lowhorn, 29, is a Cookeville native well known for his musical and leadership skills and for his commitment to his faith.
In addition to his work as the part-time Youth Pastor for Midway Baptist Church, he has been instrumental in collaborating with other leaders to create Christian worship events for youth throughout the region.
As owner of LTD “Learning to Walk” productions, Lowhorn provides clients with web design and video production services.
Friends and youth have reacted in disbelief. “It is not true. It cannot be. I just won’t believe that.” Said one friend of over 10 years.
Lowhorn is faced with two counts of solicitation of a minor, two counts of especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor and 10 counts of solicitation of a minor to observe sexual conduct, according to Detective Mickey McCullough.
According to Tennessee law statutes, “especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor” may consist of either “knowingly promoting, … or … employing, using, assisting, transporting or permitting a minor to participate … activity that is patently offensive. “
A violation of this nature is a Class B felony. Offense of solicitation of a minor consists of “a person 18 years of age or older, by means of …electronic communication, mail or Internet services, directly or through another, to intentionally command, request…persuade, invite…..a person less than 18 years of age ….to engage in conduct that, if completed, would constitute a violation.”
According to legal experts, this on-line activity is one of the most investigated and targeted activities by both federal and state law enforcement in this day and age.
The on-line solicitation as it is known is usually in the form of contact by email, instant messaging, or other use of the Internet.
The contact with a minor becomes a violation of state and federal law when the conversation turns to content of a sexual nature …
Under Tennessee law, the contacted person may be either real or a decoy.
Liability lies when the question is asked with the appropriate level of intent.
The punishment for solicitation of a minor depends upon the classification of the crime solicited.
According to one Cookeville youth (name withheld), “Daniel was my youth minister up until like 3 days ago. He is a good man, and he feels terrible. He loves God more than anyone I know. We are all praying….”
A close family friend said “I just want them to have their privacy and know that they have our prayers and support as they work through this situation.”
Cited From:
http://www.ucdailynews.com/news/34162699.html
This is tragic, but your site is almost as bad as the mistakes people make. Exploiting the families of these people and subjecting them to more horrific media coverage while almost making a mockery out of the Christian community…. it is hard to fathom that people would do such a thing. Unbelievable!