Joshua D. Hurwit U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of Idaho
U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit has announced the sentencing of two Idaho men for sex crimes involving minors. Daniel Wade Lowry, 34, from Notus, received a 19.5-year federal prison sentence for sexual exploitation of a child. Law enforcement discovered Lowry's involvement in an online group sharing child sexual abuse material in September 2023. A federal search warrant led to the seizure of his cellphones, revealing images and videos of child sexual abuse material, including explicit images he produced of a five-year-old child.
U.S. District Judge Amanda K. Brailsford mandated that Lowry serve 15 years of supervised release post-prison and pay restitution to the victims. He must also register as a sex offender.
In another case, Sean Sterling, 28, from Nampa, was sentenced to 6.5 years in federal prison for possessing child sexual abuse material. The investigation began with CyberTip reports from Discord and Twitter submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). These tips indicated that accounts linked to Sterling were used to distribute such material.
Law enforcement obtained search warrants for Sterling’s online accounts and devices, uncovering additional images and videos of child sexual abuse material along with messages discussing his interest in children. Sterling was apprehended in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Judge Brailsford ordered Sterling to be on supervised release for 15 years after his prison term and pay restitution to victims depicted in the files he possessed. He will also be required to register as a sex offender.
“The production and endless distribution of child sexual abuse material can haunt victims for life,” stated U.S. Attorney Hurwit. “We are steadfast in our commitment to seek justice for child victims and hold child predators accountable.”
Matthew Murphy, acting Special Agent in Charge overseeing HSI operations in the Pacific Northwest said: “There is no greater betrayal than stealing the innocence of a child... HSI will always be committed to working with our partners...to prevent online crimes committed against children.”
The cases were investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Boise with assistance from various local law enforcement agencies including the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
These prosecutions are part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse.
