Weiser Man Gets 14-Year Sentence for Child Sex Abuse Material

BOISE, ID — In a disturbing case of child exploitation, Cody Michael Howells, 35, from Weiser, Idaho, has been sentenced to 168 months in federal prison for possessing child sexual abuse material. The sentence was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott.

Howells’ downfall began with an Internet tip received by the Idaho ICAC Task Force, which led to an investigation and subsequent execution of a federal search warrant at his residence. During questioning, Howells confessed to viewing child sexual abuse material, further substantiating the charges against him.

The court records indicate that the files were uploaded to an account linked to Howells. On his cellphone, investigators found additional files of such nature. At the time of his arrest, Howells was already on parole for Lewd Conduct with a Minor Under 16.

Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also imposed lifetime supervised release following his prison term and ordered Howells to pay $30,000 in restitution to the victims depicted in the images. He will be required to register as a sex offender.

Acting U.S. Attorney Whatcott commended the collaborative efforts of the Idaho ICAC Task Force, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the Rupert Police Department, and the Weiser Police Department for their roles in the investigation that led to Howells’ conviction.

This case is a part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.