FORMER FIREFIGHTER ADMITS TO INFANT ABUSE AND DISTRIBUTION OF RECORDED MATERIAL — FEDERAL CASE EXPOSES REPEATED OFFENSES AND NETWORKED PARTICIPATION

A federal prosecution in the Eastern District of Virginia has established a sustained pattern of abuse involving the exploitation of an infant, the production of recorded material, and the distribution of that material through online channels. The case reflects both repeated direct offenses and the involvement of additional individuals within the same environment.

Alex Tyler Buenaga, 32, of Suffolk, Virginia, pleaded guilty to production of child sexual abuse material and coercion of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity. Court records confirm that the conduct began in October 2024 and continued over an extended period, during which Buenaga repeatedly assaulted a three-month-old infant, recorded the abuse, and distributed the resulting material.

The investigation determined that the abuse was not isolated. Buenaga recorded himself committing these acts more than 90 times, establishing a pattern of repeated offenses rather than a single incident. Evidence further shows that on at least one occasion, the infant was subjected to additional harm through exposure to methamphetamine smoke, indicating the presence of substance use during the offenses.

The case also identified the involvement of another individual. Ryan Wade Johnston, 45, of Virginia Beach, was invited to Buenaga’s residence, where he participated in activities connected to the abuse and drug use. Johnston now faces multiple federal charges, including production and receipt of child sexual abuse material, coercion and enticement of a minor, and possession of such material. A bench trial is scheduled for June 15.

The investigation was initiated following an emergency tip involving activity on the Telegram messaging platform, where a user was identified as producing and distributing illegal material. Agents from the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force responded on January 24, 2025, locating Buenaga’s residence and executing an intervention that resulted in the arrest of both Buenaga and Johnston before additional abuse could occur.

From an operational standpoint, the case reflects a convergence of direct physical abuse and digital distribution. The recording and dissemination of material extended the impact beyond the immediate environment, introducing network exposure through online platforms. The use of messaging applications as a distribution vector continues to present enforcement challenges due to encryption and rapid content sharing.

Buenaga, a former Newport News firefighter, now faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to life imprisonment, with the potential for an additional 60 years. Sentencing is scheduled for September 22. Final determination will be made by a federal district court judge based on statutory factors and federal sentencing guidelines.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph L. Kosky is leading the prosecution.

The case falls under the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative, which coordinates federal, state, and local efforts to identify offenders, disrupt exploitation networks, and recover victims. The program targets both individual actors and broader distribution channels that enable the production and spread of illegal material.

The evidence in this case establishes a prolonged pattern of abuse, supported by recorded material and digital dissemination. The outcome reinforces federal enforcement focus on both the direct perpetrators of exploitation and the mechanisms used to distribute and expand the reach of such offenses.

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