SPARTA, Mich– A 22-year-old man in Kent County is facing multiple charges, after being accused of sexually abusing two underage boys.
Court documents reveal that Tyler Lowis admitted to abusing the victims, who are brothers, on multiple occasions at both Lowis’ current and former home, as well as the home of the brothers.
Investigators say the were initially tipped off about Lowis in August after receiving a notice from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about some inappropriate material found on a Dropbox account.
Officials say many of the files depicted young boys and infants engaging in sexual acts with adults. A federal summons was submitted to Charter Communications, who provided the suspect’s IP and home address.
A search warrant was executed on Lowis’ home on Nov. 14 at which point investigators say Lowis admitted to possessing the child abuse material in his Dropbox account. Documents show he also admitted to sexually abusing two brothers who are now 14 and 12 years old on several occasions. He also reportedly told investigators he recorded videos of some of the encounters on his tablet.
Once news of Lowis’ arrest spread, Sparta Area Schools issued a statement regarding concerns about his involvement in the community theatre program. The statement listed some adopted changes the district plans to make, including implementing a buddy system for adults and children, and requiring players and crew members 18 years and older to complete a criminal background check permission form.
Lowis is charged with three counts of First-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct, three counts of Manufacturing Child Sexually Abusive Material and three counts Using a Computer to Commit a Crime. If convicted in the case, he could spend life in prison.
