Wisconsin man pleads guilty to traveling across state lines to have sex with 14-year-old

CEDAR RAPIDS - A Wisconsin man pleaded guilty Monday to charges related to taking a 14-year-old Maquoketa girl across state lines to have sex.

According to the United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Iowa, Christopher Heath-Lowther, 30, of Platteville, Wis., pleaded guilty Monday to one count each of transporting a minor across a state line with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and traveling across a state line for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct. The charges carry a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of a life sentence.

At Monday's plea hearing, Heath-Lowther admitted to traveling from Wisconsin to Iowa between December 2013 and February 2014 to engage in sexual conduct and to transport a minor from Iowa to Wisconsin to engage in sexual activity.

During a hearing in September, FBI Special Agent Thomas Reinwart testified that the victim, a 14-year-old from Maquoketa, told authorities she had sex with Heath-Lowther in Maquoketa and in Wisconsin on four separate occasions. The girl would contact Heath-Lowther through a messaging program on her phone or computer, he would pick her up in Maquoketa and they would travel in his car to Platteville.

Heath-Lowther admitted to his actions and to knowing the girl was only 14, Reinwart testified.

A warrant was served at Heath-Lowther's residence and turned up sexually explicit photos he sent to the girl, as well as photos he received from her.

Reinwart testified in September that the girl became pregnant from the relationship and that she had given birth.

In addition to the prison sentence, Heath-Lowther faces a fine up to $500,000 and five years to life of supervised release following his incarceration. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

l Comments: (319) 398-8238; lee.hermiston@thegazette.com