Antioch Man Charged in Child Exploitation Case After Fabricating Police Report

Authorities say Stuart M. Lowrey created explicit videos involving a child in his care and tried to mislead investigators.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 11:51am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a cracked smartphone screen reflecting a faint, distorted image, conceptually representing the disturbing discovery of child exploitation material.The harsh, direct flash of an investigative lens exposes the dark digital trail of a child exploitation case.Antioch Today

A 35-year-old man from unincorporated Antioch, Illinois has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of producing child pornography after authorities say he fabricated a police report claiming he found explicit videos on a stranger's cellphone. Investigators later discovered evidence that Lowrey allegedly created the material himself, using photographs of a child relative and the child's mother.

Why it matters

This case highlights the disturbing lengths some individuals will go to in order to exploit and victimize children, as well as the importance of thorough investigations to uncover the truth. The alleged actions of the suspect have put a child in protective custody and raised serious concerns about the ongoing custody dispute.

The details

According to the Lake County Sheriff's Office, Lowrey initially contacted deputies on March 25, claiming a woman had approached him and handed him a cellphone containing child pornography. However, inconsistencies in Lowrey's account prompted further investigation, and he later admitted that his initial report was fabricated. Detectives then discovered evidence that Lowrey had allegedly used an online service to generate sexually explicit videos involving the child, who is described as a distant relative. A search of Lowrey's cellphone revealed numerous videos of child pornography, including additional AI-generated content.

  • On March 25, Lowrey contacted deputies claiming he was given a cellphone containing child pornography.
  • On April 1, a judge issued an arrest warrant charging Lowrey with five counts of producing child pornography.
  • On April 1, detectives arrested Lowrey at his home and executed a search warrant, seizing additional electronic devices.

The players

Stuart M. Lowrey

A 35-year-old man from unincorporated Antioch, Illinois who has been charged with multiple counts of producing child pornography.

Lake County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that investigated the case and made the arrest.

Lake County State's Attorney's Office

The office that approved the additional charges against Lowrey.

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services

The agency that took the child into protective custody.

Lake County Children's Advocacy Center

The center where the child was interviewed.

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What they’re saying

“This case is deeply disturbing, and I'm proud of the quick work of our deputies and detectives to uncover the truth and ensure the child's safety.”

— Sheriff John Idleburg, Lake County Sheriff

What’s next

The investigation is ongoing, and authorities say additional charges may follow as they continue to analyze the seized electronic devices.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of thorough investigations and the need for vigilance in protecting vulnerable children from exploitation. It also raises concerns about the use of technology, including AI, to create abusive content and the impact on ongoing custody disputes.