HARRISBURG — Attorney General Josh Shapiro today announced felony charges against a Bloomberg University professor for possessing child pornography in Columbia County.
Scott Lowe, 57, of Bloomsburg was arrested yesterday on four counts of sexual abuse of children, relating to the possession of child pornography and related charges.
“My office has a zero tolerance policy for sexual predators – no matter who they are,” Shapiro said. “These charges are particularly heinous because the accused is a professor – someone trusted to work closely with students.
“This professor is charged with viewing child pornography on his computer in his university office. That is outrageous, and he will be held accountable. No one is above the law.”
Multiple photos that met the criteria of child pornography under the Pennsylvania Crimes Code were discovered on Lowe’s computer after of a routine audit for all Bloomsburg University machines.
After further investigation, it was discovered the images were accessed from Lowe’s desktop computer in his office at Bloomsburg University. Lowe has been a professor at the university for decades.
Bloomsburg University referred the case to the Office of Attorney General on Feb. 14. Shapiro thanked the Bloomsburg University’s police department for its collaboration on this case.
“The agents and prosecutors in our Child Predator section work tirelessly to keep every child predator out of our communities and keep Pennsylvania’s children safe. Whether you are in a position of authority or not, if you abuse minors, we will prosecute you,” Shapiro said.
Bail was set at $250,000 and a preliminary hearing scheduled for Feb. 28 at 11 a.m.
Suspected child predators can be reported by calling the Child Predator Hotline at 1-800-385-1044. If you suspect an online predator, send anonymous tips by texting PAKIDS + YOUR TIP to 847411. The case will be prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Christopher Jones.