Former Newport News firefighter pleads guilty to sexually abusing an infant and distributing videos of the abuse

NORFOLK, Va. - A Suffolk man pled guilty on March 25 to production of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and coercion of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity.

According to court documents, beginning in October 2024, Alex Tyler Buenaga, 32, began sexually assaulting a three-month-old infant, filming the abuse, and distributing the resultant CSAM online. Buenaga 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.

On Jan. 24, 2025, in response to an emergency tip that a user of the Telegram instant messaging application was producing and distributing CSAM, agents with the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force located and proceeded to Buenaga's residence. Buenaga and Johnston were arrested before they could inflict additional abuse on the infant.

Buenaga is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 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 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.

The FBI's Norfolk Field Office investigated this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph L. Kosky is prosecuting the case.

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. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

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 CourtLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACERLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. by searching for Case No. 2:25-cr-31.