Alaska GOP Official ARRESTED—Child Predator Exposed

Alaska Young Republicans chair exposed as child predator while serving as chief of staff to a state senator, betraying the trust of conservatives who demand leaders protect our families and children.

Story Snapshot

Craig Scott Valdez, 36, arrested Friday in Juneau on federal charges of sex trafficking children, producing child pornography, and coercing minors.
Valdez held dual roles as chief of staff to Sen. George Rauscher and chair of Alaska Young Republicans, exploiting his authority to groom victims via Snapchat.
Prosecutors identify at least 11 additional potential victims beyond the 15-year-old girl whose mother intervened in October 2025.
FBI urges public tips on Valdez’s aliases “DOCHANK” and “NONAME20233132”; faces 15 years to life if convicted.
Swift firing from legislative role and Young Republicans highlights need for rigorous vetting in conservative leadership.

Arrest Shatters Public Trust

Craig Scott Valdez, 36, from Anchorage, faced federal indictment on Tuesday, February 18, 2026, leading to his arrest Friday in Juneau. Federal charges include sex trafficking of children, producing child pornography, coercion and enticement of minors, and receipt of child pornography. The primary incident involved a 15-year-old girl in October 2025. Her mother intervened, alerting authorities and halting further exploitation. Valdez fled his residence upon police arrival, indicating awareness of his actions. This breach by a taxpayer-funded aide demands accountability to safeguard our youth.

Dual Leadership Roles Enabled Predation

Valdez assumed the role of chief of staff to state Senator George Rauscher in November 2025. He also chaired Alaska Young Republicans, elected in January 2025 and elevated to state committee chair around January 2026. These positions granted him credibility among young conservatives and access to vulnerable teens. He used Snapchat under aliases “DOCHANK” and “NONAME20233132” for systematic grooming. Prosecutors describe him as a compulsive offender targeting children as young as 13 in high-volume conduct. Conservatives expect leaders to uphold family values, not prey on the innocent.

Senator Rauscher’s Senate Minority Caucus fired Valdez immediately. Alaska Young Republicans removed his name from leadership by Friday evening. The FBI Anchorage Field Office leads the ongoing probe. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for Alaska’s District appeals for public information on Valdez’s activities. This case underscores failures in background checks for those near youth, eroding faith in institutions meant to champion traditional principles against moral decay.

Serious Charges and Victim Impact

Valdez’s initial court appearance occurs Monday, February 24, 2026. Prosecutors filed a detention memo seeking no bond, citing his flight risk and predatory history. Conviction on all counts carries 15 years to life imprisonment. Beyond the documented victim, at least 11 more potential victims emerge, introduced via peer networks Valdez cultivated. Alaska’s high child exploitation rates, worsened by lenient age of consent laws for 16- and 17-year-olds, amplify this tragedy. Families suffer while predators exploit legal gaps.

Victims and families need trauma support amid this horror. Anchorage and Juneau communities reel from a leader’s betrayal. Heightened scrutiny falls on social media’s role in grooming and legislative hiring practices. This incident spotlights the urgent need for stricter vetting, tougher child protection laws, and zero tolerance for those abusing authority. True conservatives prioritize child safety over political expediency.

Broader Implications for Conservative Values

Short-term, Rauscher’s office faces hiring oversight questions, while Young Republicans grapple with reputational damage. Long-term, expect reviews of staff background checks and Alaska’s consent statutes that burden victims with proof requirements. Public trust in political and youth groups wanes when predators infiltrate. This precedent may spur prosecutions of officials targeting minors. In President Trump’s America, we restore order by protecting the vulnerable from such abominations, rejecting any tolerance for evil disguised as leadership.