A former legislative staffer facing child sex trafficking charges will remain in custody until his trial after a ruling Wednesday in federal court by U.S. Magistrate Judge Kyle Reardon.
ANCHORAGE , Alaska - A former legislative staffer facing child sex trafficking charges will remain in custody until his trial after a ruling Wednesday in federal court by U.S. Magistrate Judge Kyle Reardon.
It was a victory for the family of the alleged victim who were in the courtroom and urged the judge to deny him bail.The FBI arrested a staffer for state Sen. George Rauscher in Juneau on Friday after a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging him with sex trafficking children — and investigators believe he may have targeted at least 11 other juveniles across Alaska.He is charged with four counts including sex trafficking children, sexual exploitation of children, coercion and enticement of children and receipt of child pornography, which could bring him anywhere from 15 years to life in federal prison. In a detention memo filed with the courts last week, federal prosecutors described Valdez as a “compulsive child exploitation offender” and asked the judge to keep Valdez in custody at the Anchorage Correctional Complex while he awaits trial. The FBI, which investigated the case along with the Anchorage Police Department, believes Valdez had numerous victims. The victim named in the indictment was a juvenile Valdez picked up from their family’s home in October and brought to his house in an attempt to sexually exploit them, according to court documents. The family of the alleged victim applauded the judge’s decision, saying it addressed their concerns that Valdez might contact other potential victims if he were allowed to go free. “I want all the parents out there to know that my daughter could just as easily be your daughter. Talk to your kids, keep them close. pray for them. God knows how much we need him and we need help with our kids,” the mother of the alleged victim said in a statement to Alaska’s News Source. “I know for a fact are many more victims of this man out there and I pray they find the courage to come forward and get justice for what was done to them, and they should know they did nothing to deserve this. And I’m so thankful for all the love and support folks have shown to my daughter and my family…" As of now, no trial date has been set for Valdez. A trial setting conference has been scheduled for April 2.Mother, 2 minors, deported from Alaska to Mexico by ICE overnight, husband says ‘I heard her screaming’: Rapid deportation case may signal change of pace in Alaska immigration proceedings‘It was incredibly swift’: Why an Alaska family was removed to Mexico this week, one son sent to Tacoma ICE facility FridayTwo years after two men went missing on overturned boat, driver of boat arrestedNome brothers summit Mt. Kilimanjaro, carry Alaska flag to third major peak SOTU: Sullivan acknowledges some ‘heart-wrenching’ deportation cases, praises Trump admin’s immigration enforcement efforts SOTU: Sullivan acknowledges some ‘heart-wrenching’ deportation cases, praises Trump admin’s immigration enforcement efforts
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