Kansas teen dragged into alley, fights back. Kidnapper gets nearly 50 years
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Judge sentenced Lajuan Sammie Louis Lowery to nearly 50 years.
- Teen victim fought back during alley assault, and attacker fled
- Mother's statement described Lowery's lack of remorse and urged harsh sentence.
A judge sentenced a man to nearly 50 years in prison after he dragged a teenage girl into a downtown Leavenworth alley during a kidnapping almost a year ago, officials said.
In April, a jury found 38-year-old Lajuan Sammie Louis Lowery guilty of aggravated kidnapping and acquitted him of a separate charge of aggravated sexual battery.
After denying defense motions, including requests for a new trial and an acquittal, Leavenworth County District Judge Gerald Kuckelman on Thursday sentenced Lowery to 48 years and 10 months in prison.
Kuckelman also ordered Lowery to serve three years of supervised release after serving his sentence. Lowery is also required to register as a violent offender, according to a news release from Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson.
“This is one of the most terrifying situations anyone could imagine — a young girl walking home is suddenly grabbed by a stranger and dragged into an alley,” Thompson said.. “Her courage in fighting back and calling for help was extraordinary — and it likely saved her life.”
Abducted while walking to her mother’s home
According to court documents, Lowery assaulted the 16-year-old girl on Aug. 14, 2024, along 10th Street between Pottawatomie and Osage streets.
The victim was walking to her mother’s home around 7 p.m. when Lowery allegedly grabbed her from behind and dragged her into an alley, according to the news release. Lowery placed his hand over her mouth and threw her to the ground during the struggle.
The teen fought back, elbowing Lowery and yelling for help. She screamed that she was pregnant. Lowery eventually fled the alley.
Leavenworth police searched the area and collected surveillance footage. One camera caught the struggle, showing Lowery dragging the victim across an alley behind a yard before fleeing, according to the news release.
Two days later, police posted still images from the surveillance video on Facebook, asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspect.
Shortly after, a person called authorities saying she had seen the man in a local store rubbing packs of ice cream on his body.
By Aug. 19, detectives had found additional video of the assault, as well as one that showed him running into a home on Pottawatomie.
Police were able to identify Lowery as a suspect and arrested him.
Believed to be above law, untouchable
In a victim impact statement letter to Kuckelman, the mother of the victim asked the judge to issue a more severe penalty than the guidelines would typically dictate.
She said that throughout the case, Lowery had shown no remorse, and while in jail, wrote letters to her “that were not only arrogant but chilling in their lack of empathy or accountability.”
His words were not those of a person who regretted his actions, but of someone who believed he was above the law and untouchable, she wrote.
A harsher sentence “would not only reflect the seriousness of his crimes but also send a powerful message to survivors — that their voices matter, and that justice will be served,” the mother wrote.
