Federal Grand Jury Hands Down Superseding Indictment

Against Stephen M. Howells, II and Nicole F. Vaisey

U.S. AttorneysOffice
October 08, 2014

Northern District of NewYork

(315) 448-0672
SYRACUSE, NYUnited States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian announced that a federal grand jury in Syracuse has handed
down a 21 count superseding indictment against defendants STEPHEN M. HOWELLS II and NICOLE F. VAISEY. The
superseding indictment, filed today, accuses HOWELLS with child exploitation offenses in all 21 counts, and charges VAISEY
together with HOWELLS in 10 of the counts.
The superseding indictment specifies six different victims of the charged offenses.
HOWELLS, age 39, and VAISEY, age 25, both of Hermon, NY, are charged with one count (Count 1) of conspiracy to sexually
exploit children between September 2013 and August 2014. They are also charged together with nine substantive counts (Counts
210) of exploiting three of the children during that time period. The nine counts represent nine separate dates on which the
exploitation occurred.
In addition, HOWELLS is charged alone in six additional substantive counts (Counts 1116), representing six additional dates,
for the exploitation of four children.
The final five counts (Counts 1721) of the superseding indictment charge HOWELLS with the possession of child
pornography on each of five separate hard drives recovered from his residence. It is alleged that the images and video files
possessed on these drives involve images of prepubescent minors and minors under the age of 12. The images and videos charged
in these counts are separate and apart from those charged in the first 16 counts of the superseding indictment.*
HOWELLS and VAISEY face imprisonment of at least 15 years imprisonment, and up to 30 years on the conspiracy charge, and
on each of the substantive exploitation counts. HOWELLS also faces a maximum sentence of 20 years on each of the possession
counts. Conviction on any count requires a term of supervised release of a minimum of five years and up to life to follow any
term of incarceration. In addition, conviction on any count of the superseding indictment will require HOWELLS and VAISEY
to register as sex offenders.
United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian said, Sexual exploitation of minors is the most depraved, predatory abuse of our
children. We will continue our efforts to make certain that every offense these defendants have committed is prosecuted to the
fullest extent of the law. Our goal is that they will never be near children again.
Special Agent in Charge, Andrew W. Vale of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Albany Division, stated, This case epitomizes
law enforcements ability to keep our children safe when federal, state, and local agencies work together. The FBI will continue
to work with our law-enforcement partners to identify any additional crimes committed by these defendants.
St. Lawrence County Sheriff Kevin Wells stated, As the lead County law enforcement agency in this case, we appreciate the
teamwork in discovering and identifying these additional victims. The interagency cooperation in this investigation has been
invaluable. We will continue our efforts and work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that these defendants are brought
to justice for any crimes they have committed.
St. Lawrence County District Attorney Mary E. Rain stated, The St. Lawrence County District Attorneys Office is pleased our
Federal partners in prosecution are vigilantly pursuing charges which provide greater penalties than those New York law affords.
From the beginning of this case, our Federal partners have bestowed upon our community their expertise, experience, and vast
resources for which we are much appreciative.
This case is being investigated by the St. Lawrence County Sheriffs Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Albany
Division, and the St. Lawrence County District Attorneys Office, with substantial assistance from the New York State Police.
The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual
exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States

Attorneys Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood
marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the
Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please
visitwww.projectsafechildhood.gov.
*The charges are merely allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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