Sentence added after Apple Valley man stalks children

Brian Lowe had been sentenced for child porn possession charges, but was punished further.

By ABBY SIMONS, Star Tribune

Last update: August 8, 2008 - 8:16 PM

An Apple Valley man sentenced to 7 1/2 years in federal prison last week for possessing child pornography was handed an additional six years in Dakota County District Court Friday for repeated attempts to kidnap and solicit children for sex.

Brian Wayne Lowe, 31, was sentenced to 75 months in prison for his actions near an Apple Valley elementary school in April 2007.

The sentence will run concurrently with the federal sentence, rather than consecutively. He must also register as a sex offender, pay restitution to the victims and is not allowed contact with children.

Police were contacted by a mother who said her two young daughters had both been approached separately by a man in a vehicle while walking home from school. The man, identified as Lowe, blocked the path of one girl on the sidewalk and tried to lure the girl into his car. An officer spotted Lowe's car and stopped him after seeing him talking to another girl. Investigation revealed child pornography on Lowe's computer hard drive, which was turned over to federal authorities.

Lowe received the sentence after pleading guilty in December to six counts of harassment.

Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom said that although he is pleased Lowe is off the streets, he was disappointed in the short length of the sentence.

"I expressed my displeasure to the families that we weren't able to get more prison time," he said. "This is a very serious offense, and when you're attempting to abduct children it's a very serious matter."

One of the victims in the case, a 11-year-old girl, read a statement to Judge Michael Mayer about the impact of Lowe's actions.

"Even when I go shopping with my mom I feel unsafe. She will be two racks away from me and I feel like someone is watching me or following me."

"I hope he gets the punishment he deserves. And he's locked up long enough to think about what he did, and how much he scared me and the other girls."

Abby Simons • 612-673-4921

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