ATF joins investigation into missing Adirondack man last seen over 3 years ago, offers $25,000 reward

Ausable, N.Y. - The ATF has now joined an investigation into a missing Adirondack man who was last seen over three years ago.

The federal agency - most often involved in firearms and violent criminal cases - is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to the man’s whereabouts, according to State Police and ATF news releases.

A spokesperson for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives would not say why the ATF joined the case. State Police did not say why the ATF joined either.

State Police have been looking for Stephen J. Houghton, 37, of Keeseville, since Aug. 18, 2023, after troopers responded to the Villa Motel in Ausable when Houghton’s family first reported him missing.

Troopers said that Houghton’s family told them they had not heard from or seen him since