JUNEAU, Alaska (KTUU (https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2026/02/20/mat-su-senators-chief-staff-arrested-federal-child-sex-trafficking-charges/)/Gray News) — Alaskan authorities say a staff member for a state senator has been charged with sex trafficking of children and other child exploitation offenses.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Alaska (https://www.justice.gov/usao-ak/pr/anchorage-man-arrested-juneau-charged-sex-trafficking-and-other-child-exploitation), the FBI arrested Craig Scott Valdez, 36, after a federal grand jury returned an indictment with charges that include sex trafficking of children.
Investigators say they believe Valdez targeted more than 10 juveniles across Alaska.
At the time of his arrest, the FBI identified Valdez as a current state employee working in Anchorage and Juneau. The 36-year-old was listed as a staff member for Sen. George Rauscher in Juneau on the Alaska Senate Minority website.