Pillar of the Community or Predator: The Ricky Howard Case (Part 1)

This presentation details the decades long investigation and prosecution of Ricky Dale Howard, a prominent member of small Texas town, for production of child sexual abuse material. It will also detail the disappearance of Caleb Diehl, Howard’s last know victim. The presenters will describe how and why two of his victims outcried around 2000, but no prosecution occurred. You will learn how a federal bank fraud charge, a savvy FBI Agent, and an attentive federal judge ended up providing some of the best evidence in the prosecution of Howard nearly ten years later. This complex prosecution will be broken down into many parts, including the failure to prosecute Howard in 2000 and the disappearance of Caleb Diehl. The presenters will discuss managing a decades-long, multi-jurisdictional case; creativity in proving the elements of the offense, including age, venue, and nexus; dealing with not having a live victim; pinpointing identity on computers used by lots of people; dealing with a defense forensic expert; overcoming a possible Photoshop defense; and the practical way to present CSAM evidence respectfully in trial.