Fredericksburg Man Convicted of Child Porn Charges

One suspect tried to destroy evidence by urinating on his laptop during a raid.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 8:49pm

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An extreme close-up of a cracked and damaged laptop screen, lit by a harsh, direct flash, conceptually representing the destruction of digital evidence in a child exploitation case.The destruction of digital evidence by a child exploitation suspect underscores the lengths some offenders will go to avoid prosecution.Fredericksburg Today

A Fredericksburg man pleaded guilty in March to sexually abusing a 12-year-old victim and recording the abuse. Another suspect, Stephen Chadwick Howell of Arlington, was caught trying to destroy evidence by urinating on his laptop during a raid. Both men face lengthy prison sentences as part of a nationwide crackdown on child sexual exploitation.

Why it matters

These cases highlight the ongoing efforts by federal, state, and local law enforcement to identify, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who use the internet to exploit and abuse children. The convictions and long sentences send a strong message that such crimes will be taken seriously and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

The details

Samuel Flores De Dios admitted to sexually abusing a 12-year-old victim and recording the abuse in his Fredericksburg apartment on several occasions from February 2025 to March 2025. He pleaded guilty to the production of child sexual abuse material. Stephen Chadwick Howell of Arlington was caught during a raid trying to destroy evidence by urinating on his laptop, which contained sexually explicit videos and images of a 15-year-old victim that he had produced and distributed.

  • On March 6, 2026, Samuel Flores De Dios pleaded guilty.
  • On May 7, 2025, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Stephen Chadwick Howell's home.
  • On March 4, 2026, Stephen Chadwick Howell pleaded guilty.

The players

Samuel Flores De Dios

A Fredericksburg man who pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a 12-year-old victim and recording the abuse.

Stephen Chadwick Howell

A 26-year-old Arlington man who pleaded guilty to sexually exploiting a 15-year-old victim and producing and distributing sexually explicit videos and images of the abuse.

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What’s next

Flores De Dios is due back in court on June 24, when he'll face a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to 30 years in prison. Howell's sentencing is scheduled for July 14, when he will face a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison.

The takeaway

The convictions and long sentences in these cases send a strong message that the exploitation and abuse of children will be taken seriously and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. These crimes have devastating impacts on victims, and law enforcement remains committed to identifying and apprehending those who engage in such abusive behavior.