Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Investigative Operation Bureau
-Crimes Against Children Unit

Frederick T. Lowe (Arrested)
DOB 08/25/1959
Address: 4922 Cambridge Boulevard, Apartment 201, Palm Harbor
Arrested for one-count child abuse, and three counts possession of child pornography

The victims is a 16 year-old male who is known to the suspect. Per Florida Statute 39.202 no further details will be released that would tend to identify the victim.

What:
Detectives assigned to the Crimes Against Children Unit have arrested a former high school basketball assistant coach and lawyer - for child abuse after he made a 16-year-old victim remove his clothing in front of him, wear a diaper as punishment, and then removed his diaper and wiped him. The suspect was also arrested for possession of child pornography.

When:
The crime occurred approximately between April 2015 and September of 2015.

Where:
The crime occurred at the suspect’s residence (address listed above).

Why/How:
On October 20, 2015, detectives assigned to the Crimes Against Children Unit received information from the Pinellas County Schools Police reference a possible child abuse case.

The suspect was identified as 56-year-old Frederick T. Lowe, a volunteer junior varsity basketball assistant coach at Eastlake High School, and a real estate and criminal lawyer by trade.

The victim was identified as a 16-year-old male.

Through their investigation detectives learned that the teen was being mentored by Lowe at his home in Palm Harbor. Detectives discovered that Lowe had called the teen a “bad boy” and that he made the teen remove his clothing in front of him and wear a diaper as punishment for being disruptive and disrespectful at school.

Detectives say that Lowe began mentoring and tutoring the child in his home around April of 2015 through about September of 2015 and that during that time frame, on approximately five occasions,  Lowe disciplined the boy. Detectives say the “discipline” included making the boy urinate in the diaper. Investigators then say Lowe would change his diaper -“like a baby.”

Through their investigation detectives also recovered a text message containing sexual innuendo that Lowe sent to the victim.

Detectives also say that on several occasions Lowe kissed the boy on the mouth by grabbing his face and told the boy that he loved him.

Through various interviews, detectives also discovered that Lowe had a history of viewing child pornography; and that he had previously propositioned another boy for a sex act.

Detectives developed probable cause for the arrest of the suspect and during the early morning hours of December 12, 2015 arrested the suspect for one-count child abuse, and three-counts possession of child pornography. Detectives located multiple pornographic images of children engaged in sex acts on Lowe’s home computer.

The investigation continues.

Detectives say additional charges may be forthcoming.

At this time, detectives are asking any potential past victims; or  anyone with information that would assist investigators in this case to contact Detective William Kenna or Corporal Mark Kolenda of the Crimes Against Children Unit at 727-582-6200; or to remain anonymous contact Crime Stoppers at 1800-873-TIPS.

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