Michael Graham Lowe, 25, of Prattville, Alabama, was convicted Thursday, February 8, 2018, on federal charges of sex trafficking of a minor and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, following a four-day trial in Montgomery. A federal jury found Lowe guilty after hearing evidence that he and co-defendant Joshua David Rose exploited a 17-year-old for commercial sex acts in exchange for drug money.
Lowe and 29-year-old Joshua David Rose, also from Prattville, were indicted by a federal grand jury after investigators uncovered a scheme to recruit, entice, and transport the underage victim for prostitution. Rose had already pled guilty to sex trafficking of a minor in August 2017. Evidence showed that in May 2016, Lowe, who was friends with the victim, introduced the teen to Rose at a motel in Montgomery—setting the trafficking operation in motion.
On May 24 and 25, 2016, Rose photographed the minor and posted a prostitution ad on Backpage.com. The two men then shuttled the victim across Montgomery and surrounding areas, standing guard during paid sexual encounters. The proceeds from the exploited teen’s abuse were used to buy illegal narcotics. After two days, the victim refused to continue. On May 26, Lowe transported her from the motel and abandoned her at a local residence.
Lowe now faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison on the sex trafficking count, and up to life on the conspiracy charge. He remains in custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending sentencing. The case underscores the brutal nexus between drug addiction and human trafficking, where children are treated as commodities.
“These human traffickers prostituted a child in order to have the money to feed their drug habit,” said U.S. Attorney Louis V. Franklin Sr. “We will not allow the children of this District to be preyed-upon, prostituted and used by predators.” Federal prosecutors emphasized their commitment to dismantling trafficking rings and protecting vulnerable youth.
Law enforcement leaders hailed the conviction as a victory for interagency cooperation. Prattville Police Chief Mark Thompson praised the Criminal Intelligence Unit, calling the outcome a warning to criminals. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall credited the joint effort of the Prattville and Montgomery Police Departments, the Alabama Attorney General’s Office, and Homeland Security Investigations. “This case highlights the exceptional dedication of our officers,” said HSI Acting Special Agent in Charge Thomas M. Annello. “We will not tolerate predators exploiting children.”
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- U.S. Attorney Appoints New Human Trafficking Task Force Coordinator · Alabama
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Key Facts
- State: Alabama
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Human Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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