Department of Justice

United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian

Northern District of New York
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, December 17, 2015
www.justice.gov/usao-ndny

CONTACT:

AUSA Richard Southwick

PHONE:

(315) 448-0672

HOWELLS AND VAISEY SENTENCED FOR CHILD EXPLOITATION

Sentenced to Hundreds of Years in Prison for Sexual Exploitation of Six Children,
Including Two Who Were Abducted
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK Stephen M. Howells, II, 40 of Hermon, New York, was sentenced
today to serve 580 years in prison in connection with his sexual exploitation of six children,
including two St. Lawrence County girls he abducted with his girlfriend, Nicole F. Vaisey, 26,
also of Hermon, from a roadside vegetable stand on August 13, 2014, announced United States
Attorney Richard S. Hartunian, Special Agent in Charge Andrew W. Vale of the FBIs Albany
Division, and St. Lawrence County Sheriff Kevin Wells. Vaisey was also sentenced today to
serve 300 years in prison for her role in the offenses, including her participation in the sexual
exploitation of four of the children. The Court also ordered the forfeiture of property used by the
defendants in the commission of these crimes, consisting of two cars, a computer and five hard
drives, a camera, and two iPhones.
On May 8th, Howells pled guilty to all twenty-one federal charges: conspiracy to sexually exploit
minors, fifteen counts of sexual exploitation of children, involving six victims, and five counts of
possession of child pornography. On May 14th, Vaisey also pled guilty to conspiracy to sexually
exploit minors, as well as nine counts of sexual exploitation of children, involving four victims.
From September of 2013 through August 15, 2014, Howells and Vaisey conspired to sexually
exploit children for the purpose of producing videos and pictures of such conduct. Howells used
his position as a registered nurse to obtain drugs to administer to the six children to sedate them.
On at least sixteen dates specified in the indictment, Howells sexually abused six young girls,
ages 5 11, sometimes with Vaisey also doing so, as Howells or Vaisey filmed that abuse.
Howells and Vaisey made arrangements with close friends and family to spend time with four of
the children, and then betrayed their trust. Howells and Vaisey also developed, planned, and
carried out a scheme to abduct children to sexually abuse them. On August 13, 2014, they
kidnapped two Amish children from their familys roadside farm stand by pretending to be
customers. Howells forced the children into the car and Vaisey drove off. The two children
were restrained as captives in Howells and Vaiseys home until they were released in a remote
location the next night. An ongoing manhunt and investigation resulted in the arrests of Howells
and Vaisey and searches that helped uncover the other child sexual abuse by them.
United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian said: The sentences imposed today are a reflection
of the monstrous crimes committed by Stephen M. Howells, II and Nicole F. Vaisey against the
most vulnerable among us our children. Howells and Vaisey will never be able to abduct,
drug, and sexually abuse children again. Our hearts go out to the six children victimized by

Howells and Vaisey, and to all children who are subject to sexual exploitation. It is our hope that
these severe sentences will deter others from engaging in such depraved conduct. Our
commitment to promoting prevention, protecting children, and combatting child sexual abuse is
complete and unwavering.
Todays sentencing is a culmination of an investigation into the unspeakable crimes committed
against innocent victims within St. Lawrence County. The St. Lawrence County Sheriffs Office
has worked towards this conclusion in a cooperative investigative effort with our Federal, State
and Local partners. This collaborative effort to bring these two to justice and stand responsible
for their actions shows how well law enforcement can work together for the victims and citizens
that we serve. The Sheriffs Office appreciates the public support that has been demonstrated for
the victims and the law enforcement agencies that were involved, said St. Lawrence County
Sheriff Kevin Wells.
The unspeakable acts against innocent children committed by Stephen Howells and Nicole
Vaisey represent some of the most heinous and evil crimes ever committed in Troop B. It was
through the collective efforts of all law enforcement agencies working tirelessly that these two
depraved individuals will be brought to justice and will never pose a threat to our children and
our communities again, said New York State Police Major Charles Guess, Troop B
Commander.
Stephen Howells and Nicole Vaisey represent the horrifying reality of the danger our families
and children face; they are predators that plotted and schemed to harm those that are most
precious to us, said Special Agent in Charge Andrew W. Vale. It is our sworn duty to protect
our communitys children, and the unfathomable suffering of Howells and Vaiseys victims and
their family is our daily reminder of that duty. Todays sentencings are the culmination of
tremendous efforts made by the FBI, the United States Attorneys Office, the St. Lawrence
County Sheriffs Office, and the New York State Police.
This case was investigated by FBI, the St. Lawrence County Sheriffs Office and the New York
State Police, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lisa M. Fletcher, Tamara
Thomson, and Steven D. Clymer.
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