A five count indictment has been returned by a federal grand jury against the St. Lawrence County couple charged with kidnapping two Amish girls.

39-year old Stephen Howells and 25-year old Nicole Vaisey were formally charged today in federal court in Syracuse.

The U.S. Attorney's Office says Howells and Vaisey are facing charges including conspiracy to sexually exploit children and sexual exploitation of children.

Howells was also charged with possession of child pornography.

The two are accused of  kidnapping the two girls from a farm stand in Oswegatchie last month.

They could face 15 to 30 years in prison if convicted on the federal charges.

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