Fredericksburg Man Convicted Of Child Porn Charges

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — A Fredericksburg man was among seven suspects convicted in federal court last month as part of a nationwide sweep to combat the spread of child sexual exploitation, according to authorities.

One of the seven suspects even attempted to escape prosecution by urinating on his laptop, authorities said.

On March 6, 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, court documents say. He pleaded guilty to the production of child sexual abuse material.

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.

On May 7, 2025, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the home of Stephen Chadwick Howell, 26, of Arlington, according to court records. During the search, Howell urinated on his laptop in an effort to prevent the FBI from accessing his files.

Howell admitted in court to sexually exploiting a 15-year-old victim and producing multiple sexually explicit videos and images of the abuse, which he later distributed, court records say.

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On March 4, Howell pleaded guilty to coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity and destruction of property to prevent seizure, according to court documents. His sentencing is scheduled for July 14, when he will face a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison.

Led by U.S. Attorney’s offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood taps federal, state, and local resources to identify, apprehend, and prosecute suspects using the internet to exploit children. The program also identifies and rescues victims of these crimes.

In March, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia opened seven new cases, made seven convictions, and delivered eight substantial sentences, according to a release.

View the full list of the individuals indicted, charged, convicted and sentenced on child sexual abuse charges in March by the U.S. District Attorney's Office for Eastern Virginia.