Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 08/29/03

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards - 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Chief Deputy Larry Scoufos Deputy District Attorney: Marianna Lebedeff

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

STEP-DAD RECEIVES LIFE SENTENCE FOR CHILD MOLEST

Today, Defendant Donnie Dewayne Lowrey (age 32) was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Cerena Wong to a state prison term of seven years plus a consecutive term of 15 years to life for the child molestation of two step-daughters, ages 7 and 11. The defendant was charged with multiple counts of child molestation, each count involving substantial sexual conduct on the victims. Because there was more than one victim, the law subjected the defendant to a 15 years to life sentence for each victim. He was also charged with videotaping and photographing the molestations of his step-daughters, possession of a destructive device, possession of material for a destructive device, possession of a silencer for firearms, and carrying a concealed firearm.

The girls’ mother reported the molestations to the Santa Rosa Police Department after receiving a phone call from her daughters complaining that, “Donnie rapes us.” The daughters had been visiting their biological father at the time and were afraid to return home.

On July 3, 2002, the girls were interviewed at the Redwood Children’s Center. The oldest revealed that the defendant had been molesting her for the previous 18 months. She also observed the defendant perform similar acts upon her sister. The youngest described the molests perpetrated by the defendant, adding he had also done this to her sister. Both girls stated that the defendant had threatened them with harm if they told anyone.

During the investigation, a search warrant was served on the defendant’s house. A silencer, explosive device, and explosive material were found in a bedroom. A forensic exam was conducted on the defendant’s computer showing five child pornography images.
There were also videotapes, some converted into computer images, depicting the molests.

On July 11, 2003, the defendant pled “no contest” to one count of child molest as to each victim, admitting the substantial sexual conduct allegations, videotaping the molest, possession of a firearm silencer, possession of a destructive device, and possession of material for a destructive device. At the time, Deputy District Attorney Joan Risse, the assigned prosecutor, and the defense agreed that defendant would be sentenced to prison for the term of 7 years plus a consecutive term of 15 years to life. The defendant will have to serve 85% of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole.