Stafford
minister jailed for sex with boy in '80s
fredericksburg.com ^ | 05.28.08 | KEITH EPPS
Posted on Sunday,
July 06, 2008 9:43:26 PM
A
His bond was revoked and Lowe is expected to
remain in jail at least until he is sentenced in August. Lowe was the pastor at
According to prosecutor Eric Olsen, the
molestation took place in 1984 and 1985 at the church. The boy, whose family attended Lowe's
church, was supposed to be getting counseling from Lowe. Olsen said Lowe
repeatedly touched the boy's private parts and performed oral sex on him. The
victim said the abuse occurred at least 20 times.
Olsen said the victim reported the incidents to
his family and to a deacon in the church several years later, and a meeting
with Lowe was arranged. Lowe quoted Scripture during that meeting regarding
Christians not taking other Christians to court, Olsen said.
The victim later went to Sheriff's Office, Olsen
said, but Lowe denied the allegations and police determined there was not
enough evidence to bring charges. The case was closed, but was reopened last
year by Detective Don Lenhart.
Lenhart got the victim to wear a wire and talk to Lowe about what
had occurred years before. During the taped conversation, Lowe said he was
sorry about what had happened and that God had already punished him. Olsen said
Lenhart took the tape to Lowe, who confessed.
The victim yesterday said that he was happy that
Lowe is finally being held accountable for his actions. The man said he's had a
lot of problems in life, including drug and alcohol abuse, a suicide attempt, a
failed marriage and prison. He believes Lowe's actions were a contributing
factor.
"For more than 20 years I've been waiting to
get this over with," the man said. "He betrayed my family's trust in
the worst possible way, and now the blame can be put where it belongs."
Lowe will be facing a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison when he is
sentenced. He will be eligible for parole because the crimes occurred before