Craig Scott Valdez, left, is shown alongside a Snapchat avatar prosecutors allege he used to contact minors with the intent of sexually exploiting them, according to the federal detention memorandum in U.S. v. Valdez.
By Gina Hill | Alaska Headline Living | February 2026
Craig Scott Valdez, a 36-year-old Anchorage resident and former chief of staff to Republican Wasilla state Senator George Rauscher, was arrested in Juneau on February 20, 2026, and charged with multiple federal child exploitation offenses. Valdez, who also held leadership roles with the Anchorage Young Republicans, faces allegations that have sent shockwaves through Alaska’s political community.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Alaska, Valdez is accused of sex trafficking a minor, producing child pornography, coercing and enticing a juvenile, and receiving child pornography. Federal prosecutors allege that the conduct occurred in October 2025, involving a 15-year-old victim, and that digital communications suggest he may have targeted additional minors. Court filings indicate that Valdez groomed juveniles via Snapchat accounts, including usernames identified as “NONAME20233132” and “DOCHANK,” and allegedly lured a minor to his residence for sexual exploitation. The victim was found by a family member and later taken for medical evaluation.
Law enforcement officials, including U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman and FBI Anchorage Field Office Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Day, described the arrest as part of an ongoing federal investigation into child exploitation. Authorities are urging the public to come forward with any information, emphasizing that there may be additional victims connected to Valdez’s alleged conduct. Tips can be submitted to the FBI Anchorage Field Office at (907) 276‑4441 or anonymously online at tips.fbi.gov.
Republican officials in Alaska have reacted swiftly. Party Chairman Carmela Warfield called the alleged actions “nothing short of horrifying” and confirmed that Valdez has been removed from all party leadership positions. The Alaska Senate Minority Caucus, including Senator Rauscher, stated that they have no additional information beyond the federal filings and are relying on the Department of Justice to conduct its investigation. Senate Minority Leader Mike Cronk noted that Valdez has been terminated from his legislative staff role following the charges.
Valdez is scheduled for an initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kyle F. Reardon on February 23, 2026. While prosecutors note that if convicted he could face 15 years to life in prison, he is presumed innocent under the law until proven guilty.
While this case underscores the dangers of online exploitation, it also highlights the importance of protective measures available to minors on social media platforms. Snapchat, where Valdez allegedly contacted his victims, has built-in protections for teens ages 13–17. Teen accounts are private by default, limiting communications to mutual friends or saved contacts. Features such as tagging, public profiles, and location sharing are restricted, with public sharing only available to older teens under controlled conditions. Snapchat also uses human review and machine learning to ensure age-appropriate content reaches teen users, and these safeguards cannot be turned off. Parents seeking guidance can review these protections on Snapchat’s teen safety page.
This case exposes a deeply troubling intersection of political power and alleged criminal conduct while also providing an urgent reminder of the importance of vigilance, digital literacy, and parental engagement to protect minors online.
