Michigan man charged in child porn conspiracy with PH sex trafficker

An alleged child predator is charged with conspiring to produce child pornography, as part of an international sex trafficking investigation. REUTERS IMAGE

DETROIT – A Canton, Michigan man who texted instructions to a known sex trafficker in the Philippines detailing the type of child sexually abusive material he wanted to watch live over a webcam, was charged in a seven count indictment for conspiring to produce child pornography and related offenses.

Charles Calahan Lowe, 49, allegedly exchanged over 1,600 text messages with the known sex trafficker and paid her $30 to $40 for live “shows” of young girls, some as young as three, who were abused in real time to create sexually explicit videos and images shared over Skype.

Lowe is the 112th person arrested as part of an international sex trafficking investigation which has spanned nearly 10 years

Law enforcement learned of Lowe’s existence when they executed a federal search warrant on the trafficker’s Skype account and unearthed the detailed text messages.

Lowe sent wire payments for the child sexually abusive material over Western Union at Rite Aid stores near his residence in order to avoid detection by his wife. The trafficker has since been arrested and charged in the Philippines.

You may also like: Filipino dad of 3 in New Jersey pleads guilty to child sex abuse

Conspiracy to produce child pornography and production of child pornography carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years up to 30 years.

Receipt of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years up to 20 years.

Possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor victim or a minor who has not reached the age of 12 carries a maximum sentence of 20 years.