A St. Lawrence County couple, accused of kidnapping two Amish sisters, has been indicted on federal child sexual exploitation and child pornography charges. The indictment shows that the pair is also accused of exploitation of a third child.
Twenty-five-year-old Nicole Vaisey and 39-year-old Stephen Howells, Jr. already face state charges for allegedly kidnapping the sisters from their rural family farm stand in St. Lawrence County last month. A five-count federal indictment handed down this week also accuses the couple of sexual exploitation of another girl starting in 2012.
These federal charges allege that the pair planned the kidnapping of the Amish sisters starting in July. The girls were kidnapped in mid-August, and the indictment alleges the pair forced the girls to engage in sexually explicit conduct, and then videotaped it. Howell also faces child pornography charges. U.S. Attorney Richard Hartunian says during a press conference in Syracuse that the federal government puts a high priority on cases like this.
"My office will continue to do everything in its power to prosecute defendants who commit such horrific crimes,” said Hartunian. “In this case we will pursue all the justice the law allows."
Hartunian would not get specific about what happened, saying particulars will come out during prosecution. He says authorities are also trying to determine if there are other victims. The couple is currently in federal custody.
Hartunian notes that while federal officials are coordinating the investigation with state and county officials, the kidnapping charges will be handled separately.
St. Lawrence County Sheriff Kevin Wells says none of the information in the indictment was a surprise.
"Thirty years in this job and there’s a lot of things that make you wonder what people are capable of, but nothing is shocking us here,” said Wells.
Hartunian says authorities are looking for evidence of other victims as well. Anyone with any information is asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI
