Craig Scott Valdez was Alaska state Sen. George Rauscher’s Chief of Staff since November, 2025, and had worked for him since 2021. He was also the Chair of the Anchorage Young Republicans. He has been removed from all positions since his arrest on four felony charges involving child sexual exploitation.
Valdez has been charged with sex trafficking, child exploitation and production of child sexual abuse material, or CSAM — formerly referred to as child pornography — coercion and enticement of a minor, and receipt of CSAM.
He is alleged to have enticed a 15-year-old girl to his home to celebrate his birthday. Her sibling told her mother who used a tracking app to drive to his home and stop him. When she got to his home, she heard her daughter say she wanted to go home. She went in and found her daughter so drunk she had difficulty walking and remaining conscious. She slapped Vasquez and called the police but Valdez ran off before they arrived.
The mom took screenshots of the messages between the girl and Valdez. The police believe this was not the first time he exploited the girl. They also believe there are other children he has abused. The FBI identified eleven other possible victims whom he sought to engage in commercial sex and to create child sexual exploitation material at his direction.
He is being held without bail and has pled not guilty.
- Alaska Beacon: Alaska lawmaker’s chief of staff arrested on sex trafficking and child exploitation charges
- The American Bazaar: Alaska Senate staffer charged with sex trafficking of children in federal case
February 24, 2026
Lock him up, throw away the key!