BOISE – In a chilling verdict that echoes the war against child exploitation, Cody Michael Howells, 35, of Weiser, has been sentenced to 168 months in federal prison for possessing child sexual abuse material. The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott.
This harrowing case began when the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) received CyberTip reports from an online social media platform. These reports were submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which forwards leads to law enforcement agencies. ICAC pinpointed files of child sexual abuse material on an account linked to Howells.
A federal search warrant was executed at Howell’s residence, where he admitted to viewing such material. Additional files were found on his cellphone, and it was revealed that Howells was already on parole for Lewd Conduct with a Minor Under 16.
Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill added to the sentence by ordering lifetime supervised release for Howells following his prison term and $30,000 in restitution to victims. Registration as a sex offender is mandatory due to his conviction.
The Idaho ICAC Task Force, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Rupert Police Department, and Weiser Police Department were commended for their relentless pursuit of justice. Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Robins prosecuted the case with vigor.
This prosecution is a part of Project Safe Childhood, a Justice Department initiative launched in 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho and the Idaho Attorney General’s Office work together to locate, apprehend, and prosecute online predators as well as rescue victims. For more information on Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Key Facts
- State: Idaho
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes|Cybercrime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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