The school principal charged in connection with illegal sexual relations involving a 14-year-old in Kent County has turned himself in to state police after learning of new charges in connection with illegal sexual relations involving a 13-year-old in Queen Anne’s County.
Shortly before 1 p.m. today, the accused, identified as Lowell S. Litten, Jr., 39 of the 400-block of Dudley Corner Road in Sudlersville, turned himself in to state police at the Centreville Barrack. He is currently being held at the Queen Anne’s County Detention Center. Litten now faces up to 45 years imprisonment for the offenses arising from Queen Anne’s County.
In Queen Anne’s County, Litten is now charged with attempted second-degree sex offense, second-degree sex offense and sex abuse of a minor in connection with a 13-year-old female. If convicted, Litten now faces up to 45 years imprisonment for the second offense.
The initial investigation began Monday evening, June 15, 2009, when state police at the Centreville Barrack received a complaint of possible inappropriate sexual relations involving a 14-year-old in Kent County. Information received revealed an ongoing and inappropriate sexual relationship between Litten and the juvenile victim. Police also learned that Litten is employed as the principal of Eastern Shore Junior Academy in Sudlersville. Previously, he was employed at the John Nevins Andrews School in Takoma Park.
State Police and the Kent County State’s Attorney investigated the case and were able to execute an arrest warrant that same day. Litten was then charged on three counts of illegal sexual conduct. He was held at the Kent County Detention Center and then later released on a $25,000 bond that evening.
On Tuesday, June 16, an additional juvenile victim, from Queen Anne’s County, came forth. One of her relatives contacted state police to report the crime. It is the policy of the Maryland State Police to not identify victims of sex crimes. Both juvenile victims will remain anonymous.
Police executed search warrants at Litten’s Queen Anne’s County residence and at his place of employment earlier this week, seizing computers, hard drives and several printed documents relevant to the investigation. The seized computers were sent to the State Police Forensics Laboratory and to the Computer Crimes Unit for examination.
Because this investigation involves a principal of a school, the State Police coordinated efforts with the Department of Education, the Queen Anne’s County and Kent County Department of Social Services, the Kent County State’s Attorney Office and the Queen Anne’s County State’s Attorney Office.
As this investigation continues, police urge anyone who may have been a victim or has relevant information to contact police at Centreville Barracks at (410) 758-1101.