Federal prosecutors have charged an Alaska state employee with child exploitation offenses following an investigation that authorities say may involve numerous victims statewide.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Alaska announced that a federal grand jury returned an indictment against Craig Scott Valdez, 36, accusing him of sex trafficking of children. Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation subsequently arrested Valdez.
Investigators believe the alleged conduct extended well beyond a single victim. According to prosecutors, evidence reviewed from Valdez’s digital accounts suggests he may have targeted more than 10 juveniles across Alaska. A detention memo filed by the government stated that analysis of Valdez’s Snapchat and Cash App activity identified at least 11 additional suspected juvenile victims beyond the individual named in the indictment.
Authorities allege Valdez used social media to identify, groom, and entice juvenile females for sexual exploitation. The indictment specifically references an incident involving a minor in October 2025, while investigators say they are examining whether other juveniles were victimized or targeted.
At the time of his arrest, the FBI described Valdez as a current state employee working in both Anchorage and Juneau. He was listed as a staff member for State Sen. George Rauscher on the Alaska Senate Minority website.
Political leaders and party officials reacted swiftly. The Alaska Republican Party issued a statement condemning the allegations.
“The conduct described in federal court filings demands our deepest outrage,” Chairman Carmela Warfield said in a statement. “There is absolutely no place in our state for anyone who would harm a child.”
Warfield added that “decisive action” had been taken to remove Valdez from all roles previously held within the party and the Anchorage Young Republicans.
If convicted, Valdez faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to life imprisonment under federal law.
If convicted, Valdez faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to life imprisonment under federal law.
The investigation is being led by the FBI alongside the Anchorage Police Department as part of the bureau’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. Authorities are urging anyone with relevant information to contact the FBI’s Anchorage Field Office.
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