By SUZANNE DOWNING
Feb. 20, 2026 – An Anchorage man who has worked as a staff member in the Legislature was arrested in Juneau after a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging him with multiple child exploitation crimes. Craig Scott Valdez has worked for five years for the Alaska Legislature in various roles.
Valdez, 36, is charged with one count of sex trafficking of children, one count of sexual exploitation of children (production of child pornography), one count of coercion and enticement of a minor, and one count of receipt of child pornography.
Sen. George Rauscher only learned of the charges against Valdez upon being contacted by this writer and had no immediate comment, other than to acknowledge the shockingly seriousness of the charges and saying he needed to find out more about it.
According to a memorandum filed in US District Court for the District of Alaska, the government alleges that Valdez used Snapchat to identify, groom, and entice juvenile females in Alaska for sexual exploitation. Here’s the indictment:
Federal prosecutors allege that on or about Oct. 14, 2025, Valdez arranged through Snapchat to pick up a 15-year-old girl from her family’s Anchorage residence and bring her to his home on Endicott Street for the purpose of sexual exploitation.
According to the court filing, the girl’s sibling alerted their mother, who used a family tracking app to locate her daughter at Valdez’s residence. The mother reportedly heard her daughter say she wanted to go home before entering the residence and removing her. The filing states the minor showed signs of extreme intoxication and difficulty maintaining consciousness.
Prosecutors say Anchorage Police Department patrol officers responded, and that Valdez fled from his residence.
The memorandum further alleges that investigators identified at least eleven other suspected juvenile victims through a preliminary review of Valdez’s Snapchat communications and use of the CashApp platform.
The indictment references Snapchat usernames “noname20233132” and “dochank” in connection with the alleged conduct.
Valdez is charged under:
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18 U.S.C. § 1591 – Sex trafficking of children
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18 U.S.C. § 2251 – Sexual exploitation of children (production of child pornography)
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18 U.S.C. § 2422(b) – Coercion and enticement of a minor
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18 U.S.C. § 2252A – Receipt of child pornography
Because of the nature of the charges, federal prosecutors are seeking pretrial detention, arguing that no conditions of release would reasonably assure the safety of the community. He is currently housed at Lemon Creek Correctional Facility.
If convicted, Valdez faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to life in prison. A federal district court judge would determine any sentence after considering U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Valdez is scheduled to make his initial court appearance on Feb. 23, before US Magistrate Judge Kyle F. Reardon.
Valdez is a graduate of University of Alaska Anchorage and is a former member of the Alaska Youth Court.
The case is being investigated by the FBI Anchorage Field Office and the Anchorage Police Department as part of the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.
US Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska and FBI Anchorage Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Day announced the arrest.
11 thoughts on “Staffer in Alaska Capitol arrested on serious child porn charges”
Our LORD God is on the move in Alaska from changing Alaskans hearts and minds to exposing the wickedness and corruption being exposed one by one
Thank You!!! Alleluia!!!
The weak and vulnerable on Alaska have been far too loony exploited, abused. Taken advantage of. They deserve to be cared about by our leaders even God stripping leaders he rose up from their power and influence. Replaced by leaders will care for the weak and vulnerable who can’t fight back
Our LORD God is on the move in Alaska from changing Alaskans hearts and minds to exposing the wickedness and corruption being exposed one by one
Thank You!!! Alleluia!!!
The weak and vulnerable on Alaska have been far too long exploited, abused. Taken advantage of. They deserve to be cared about by our leaders even God stripping leaders he rose up from their power and influence. Replaced by leaders will care for the weak and vulnerable who can’t fight back
You forgot to mention he is the Chair of the Anchorage Young Republicans.
That’s Alaska Young Republicans. He was chair for more than a year. Doubtful “this writer” forgot, though. As I recall, the organization’s vice chair was also booted for bad behavior a couple weeks ago. Interesting how both were staffers for Valley legislators. Who’s screening these people? Or do they just get a pass because they’re dutiful partisans?
Anchorage Young Republicans.
I hope this POS gets castrated.
Trump will probably pardon him.
So, not a drag queen ?
Oh my goodness what the heck!? Horrible! So awful and glad he has been caught as he is young and maybe there is nope of repentance and healing. He will have to face the stiff consequences though. I feel terrible for Senator Rauscher as I am sure it has been like being hit by a truck to have all of this happen. Will be praying for all, including those so grievously affected by such evil.
Augh hell, tell the state to save a ton of money and just hang his ass. Problem solved.
I wish we could do that to All sexual abusers of Alaska. Put them in a public square in the Stocks. As an example of how not to be.
But that was already done when Jesus Christ of Nazareth hung and died on the Cross in the Public square.
When this man is in Jail. Unlike that Democrat leader and that doctor also on the same charges who has gone missing, there is a greater chance this guy who was chair of the young republicans will be more receptive to the Gospel that’s being preached in our prisons. Because of the AKGOP does talk a lot about God and Christ than the Democrat party that the other man never of heard of Christ and would have less seeds hope planted in him than one of our own whose been at Republican meetings, prayer gatherings hearing about God being preached by other Republican members . This is why!!! Christians wherever they are whether or not they are Democrat or Republican must share God’s Word wherever they are because gospel seeds of Faith we plant. God only knows when that seed will start to grow. Often times seeds of faith germinate in a persons heart during adversity and trials, and struggle when they are All alone and the whole world seems to had turned its back against them. That’s where those things of God’s Word begin to sprout and come forth.