Man seeks mental exam prior to his sentencing in child porn case

John StuartDowell

WINCHESTER — A man who previously pleaded guilty to child pornography-related charges that took place in Frederick County is seeking a psychological evaluation.

John Stuart Dowell, 46, was arrested last fall for allegedly videotaping himself and two young girls engaged in various sex acts from November 2010 to October 2011.

According to court documents filed in U.S. District Court in Harrisonburg, Dowell pleaded guilty Oct. 3 to 12 counts of filming a child engaged in sexually explicit conduct and knowing the footage could be sent out of state or out of the country or transmitting the footage via computer and one count of transmitting child pornography online.

A motion filed in the same court Monday states that Dowell is seeking a psychological evaluation that is estimated to cost about $3,000.

It states that a previous evaluation was performed and resulted in a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder, major depression disorder and avoidant personality disorder.

According to the motion, Dowell’s counsel believes that an updated psychological evaluation would aid them in providing accurate representation and greatly assist the court in sentencing Dowell.

He is scheduled for sentencing Jan. 16.

According to the court documents, in late 2010 and early 2011, Dowell stayed at a residence in Frederick County where the two girls — ages 3 and 5 at the time — were living.

During his stay, Dowell sexually molested the 3-year-old on numerous occasions and videotaped several instances of the abuse.

“Dowell additionally made two films that focused on the 5-year-old girl’s genitals,” the document states.

Last October, an FBI agent assigned to Winchester was advised by FBI officials in Florida that a woman had turned in a video containing child pornography, according to the original complaint.

Dowell was arrested Oct. 21 in California — where he was then residing.

— Contact Melissa Boughton at mboughton@winchesterstar.com