BOISE — Attorney General Raúl Labrador has announced that Tyrell Howell, 28, was convicted of two (2) counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Child by Distributing Sexually Exploitative Material (Child Pornography). The Distribution of Sexually Exploitative Material is a felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison. Howell was sentenced on May 19, 2025, by Cassia County District Judge Blaine P. Cannon.
 
“There is no place in Idaho for those who trade in the vile exploitation of children,” said Attorney General Labrador. “This sentence reflects the seriousness of the crime and the commitment of my office to protect Idaho’s most vulnerable. I am grateful for the collaborative efforts of our Internet Crimes Against Children Unit and local law enforcement in bringing this predator to justice. We will continue to pursue those who prey on children with the full weight of the law.”
 
In approximately September of 2024, the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit received a CyberTip that an online account, later identified as belonging to Howell, was being used on multiple occasions in June and July of 2024 to exchange Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), also known as Child Pornography, with other online users. Detective Sam Kuoha was able to obtain account information from the electronic service provider (ESP), which identified Howell as the account’s owner. Based on the information obtained from the ESP, Detective Kuoha was able to identify two (2) other CyberTips associated with Howell’s information from 2020 and 2022. After obtaining search warrants, officers searched Howell’s home and digital devices. Forensic examiners from the Office of the Attorney General were able to locate multiple files of CSAM and chat logs showing the exchange of CSAM with other individuals through online platforms. Many of these files depicted minor children, predominantly prepubescent females, as young as approximately two (2) years of age, and some of these files depicted children engaged in violent sex acts with adults.
 
Judge Cannon sentenced Howell to a total of twenty-five (25) years in prison. Howell will be eligible for parole after five (5) years. Howell will have to register as a sex offender pursuant to Idaho law. 
 
Detective Sam Kuoha with Rupert Police Department, who serves as an ICAC affiliate in the Attorney General’s ICAC Unit, led the investigation. Detective Kuoha and the Rupert Police Department were assisted by the Cassia County Sheriff’s Office, the Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office, and the Cassia County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General James Haws.