Update: All of the charges against Mr. Lowery were dropped July 17 with prejudice, meaning the case cannot be refiled, following a judge’s ruling to suppress evidence needed for the prosecution’s case, court records show.
A registered sex offender made a first appearance Tuesday in Clark County Superior Court after a Washington Department of Corrections officer allegedly caught him talking with a 16-year-old girl through a social media app.
Taylor Michael Lowery, 26, of Vancouver appeared on suspicion of sexual exploitation of a minor and felony communicating with a minor for immoral purposes.
Court records state that Lowery is a Level II registered sex offender — meaning that he poses a moderate risk of re-offending.
Lowery failed to check in with post-prison supervision March 1, and his DOC officer contacted him at his residence the following day in the 2900 block of Watson Avenue, according to an affidavit of probable cause.
When the officer contacted Lowery, he tried to conceal a cellphone. The officer seized the phone and saw that Lowery had just received a message on a social media app. The message was from a female who said she had to be short because her parents were beside her, the affidavit states.
Lowery was taken into custody on multiple alleged DOC violations.
The officer found text messages on Lowery’s cellphone that indicated the female he was communicating with is a minor. The officer called the girl March 9, and she confirmed that she is 16 years old but that she was 15 when she first started talking with Lowery. Lowery allegedly told the girl that he was turning 21, court records said.
The girl told the officer that Lowery tried to pressure her into sending nude photos and that he sent photos of himself. He also suggested that they meet in person for sex, according to court documents.
Police found messages sexual in nature between the two, the affidavit said.
During his hearing, Judge Gregory Gonzalez set Lowery’s bail at $50,000. He will be arraigned April 21.
