A shocking case of child sex abuse has rocked the community of Suffolk, Virginia, after a former firefighter pleaded guilty to producing and distributing disturbing child sex abuse material.
Alex Tyler Buenaga, 32, of Suffolk, was arrested on January 24, 2025, by agents with the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force in response to an emergency tip that a user of the Telegram instant messaging application was producing and distributing child sex abuse material.
According to court documents, Buenaga began sexually assaulting a three-month-old infant in October 2024, filming the abuse, and distributing the resultant child sex abuse material (CSAM) online. He invited others, including Ryan Wade Johnston, 45, of Virginia Beach, to his residence to participate in the sexual abuse and smoke methamphetamine.
Buenaga, a former Newport News firefighter, recorded himself sexually abusing the infant over 90 times and on at least one occasion, recorded himself blowing methamphetamine smoke in the infant’s face. The FBI’s Norfolk Field Office investigated this case.
Buenaga is scheduled to be sentenced on September 22 and faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and up to life plus 60 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Johnston, 45, of Virginia Beach, is charged with production of CSAM, receipt of CSAM, coercion and enticement of a minor, and possession of CSAM. A bench trial for Johnston is scheduled for June 15.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:25-cr-31.
Defendant: Alex Tyler Buenaga
Exact Charges: Production of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and coercion of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity
City and State: Suffolk, Virginia
Exact Date: January 24, 2025 (arrest date)
Sentence or Outcome: Scheduled to be sentenced on September 22, facing a mandatory minimum of 15 years and up to life plus 60 years in prison
Related Charges: Ryan Wade Johnston, 45, of Virginia Beach, is charged with production of CSAM, receipt of CSAM, coercion and enticement of a minor, and possession of CSAM
Related Federal Cases
- Richard Doman, Failure to Update Sex Offender Registration, West Virginia 2023 · Pennsylvania
- David Alan Hunt, Child Pornography Possession, West Virginia 2012 · Virginia
- Bradley Temple, Unlawful Money Transactions, West Virginia, 2023 · Alabama
- Jeffrey Phares, Wire Fraud, West Virginia 2023 · Alabama
- Jeffrey Phares, Wire Fraud, West Virginia 2023 · Alabama
Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Category: Sex Crimes|Cybercrime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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