Honolulu, HI – Alden Bunag, 33, a former summer school teacher in Oahu, is in federal custody after authorities uncovered a disturbing pattern of sexual abuse and exploitation of a 13-year-old former student. The feds allege Bunag not only engaged in sexual conduct with the minor but also recorded the encounters and distributed the explicit material, including sending at least one video to an individual in Pennsylvania.
According to a criminal complaint unsealed today, the abuse occurred between November 2019 and October 2021. The investigation, led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), revealed a trove of child pornography on Bunag’s devices, shared with others online. The complaint details the graphic nature of the recordings and the deliberate distribution of the material, painting a picture of calculated exploitation. This wasn’t a fleeting lapse in judgment; it was a sustained abuse of trust and power.
U.S. Attorney for the District of Hawaii, Clare E. Connors, minced no words, stating the case represents a “particularly egregious breach of trust” and vowed a vigorous prosecution. “Exploiting a child is abhorrent. Exploiting a child while in a position of authority as an educator is beyond reprehensible,” Connors said in a statement. The feds are actively seeking anyone who may have received the illicit content or has information about Bunag’s activities.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Steven Merrill emphasized the agency’s commitment to protecting vulnerable children. “We will relentlessly pursue those who prey on children and hold them accountable for their actions,” Merrill stated. The FBI is urging anyone with information regarding this case, or who believes they may be a victim, to contact them immediately via dedicated hotlines established for the investigation. They’re not just looking for evidence; they’re looking for other potential victims.
Bunag has been charged with distributing child pornography, a federal offense carrying a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years upon conviction. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca Perlmutter is leading the prosecution, and sources within the U.S. Attorney’s office indicate they will be seeking the maximum sentence. While Bunag is presumed innocent until proven guilty, the evidence presented thus far is damning.
This case highlights the ongoing threat of child exploitation and the critical need for vigilance. While initiatives like Project Safe Childhood aim to combat this epidemic, the reality is predators continue to find ways to harm children. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and expose the dark underbelly of these crimes. Anyone with information is urged to contact the FBI at [insert FBI tip line information here] or submit tips online at [insert FBI online tip submission link here].
RELATED: Oahu Schoolteacher Detained on Charge of Sexually Exploiting Minor Student
Related Federal Cases
Key Facts
- Category: Sex Crimes
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly.
Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Sex CrimesSex CrimesSex CrimesSex Crimes