Sex act sends student to jail

Following a sexual encounter between two students on Oct. 28 in the Northview High School lunchroom, one was arrested and faces charges second degree felony charges of lewd and lascivious behavior on female less than 16 years old.

Kenneth Dewayne Lowery, 20, 30 W. Pond Street, Century, was arrested Nov. 13 after an investigation into allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior with a minor under age 16, according to an Escambia County Sheriff's Office report.

On Oct. 28, a school resource officer was notified of a possible sexual offense that occurred in the Northview High School lunchroom around 12:25 p.m. between two students.

The report said the SRO made contact with a witness who told the officer he observed a student under the age of 16 perform a sexual act on "Ty", later identified as Lowery, as they sat next to each other in the school lunchroom.

The witness told the officer he approached the two to say something at which time the minor pulled her hand out from underneath a green jacket as Lowery pulled up his pants. A second witness was interviewed and she stated she was sitting with Lowery and the minor when she observed both cover their laps with a green jacket and the sexual encounter took place, the report stated.

The officer made contact with the minor, who advised that the sexual encounter did occur for about five minutes and that she stopped when she realized other students were watching.

According to the report, Lowery approached the SRO in regards to a rumor circulating the school when the officer informed Lowery that he was already aware of the incident and had already reviewed school surveillance video. Lowery then described what happened and completed a School Incident Statement. The report said due to the age difference between Lowery and the minor, the Department of Children and Family Services was notified by school administration.

Lowery was arrested Nov. 13 and as of press time, had not been given a bond.