SAVANNAH, GA — In a stunning decision on Thursday, September 4, 2025, former Army soldier Austin Michael Burak, 32, from Oak Harbor, WA, was sentenced to lifetime imprisonment for each of the two children he sexually abused at Fort Stewart Military Reservation in Georgia.
Burak, who was convicted of abusive sexual contact of a child and aggravated sexual abuse of a child, will serve a minimum sentence of 30 years. The Southern District of Georgia jury found him guilty after a trial that revealed shocking details of the attacks on the innocent minors.
In a statement, U.S. Attorney Meg E. Heap emphasized the severity of child sexual assault, saying, “There are appropriately severe consequences for sexually assaulting children. We will continue to aggressively prosecute those who prey on the most innocent among us.”
The heinous crimes committed by Burak were recounted in court, including his sexual abuse and rape of two minor boys while they slept. Three additional witnesses, including one who described years of abuse at Burak’s hands, also came forward during the trial.
Paul Brown, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, praised the sentence, stating, “This sentence ensures that Austin Burak will never again have the opportunity to harm another child.” Special Agent in Charge Michele Starostka of the Army Criminal Investigation Division echoed these sentiments, highlighting the collaborative efforts between law enforcement agencies to bring justice.
The investigation was led by the Army Criminal Investigation Division at Joint Base Lewis-McChord and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Sherri A. Stephan and Michael Z. Spitulnik prosecuted the case on behalf of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia.
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Key Facts
- State: Georgia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Sex Crimes|Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
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