Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced
today that Alex Asino, 31, was arrested on Nov. 14, 2019, by the Federal Bureau
of Investigation’s (FBI) Child Exploitation Task Force and was indicted by the
Anchorage Grand Jury Wednesday, Nov. 20, in an eight count indictment alleging
child sex trafficking, production and distribution of child pornography, and
coercion and enticement of a minor.
In September of 2018, Asino was charged by the State of
Alaska for delivering a controlled substance to a minor, sexual abuse of a
minor, and possession of child pornography. He was subsequently released on
bail and placed under house arrest. While on house arrest, Asino continued to
engage in the sexual exploitation of children, according to a criminal
complaint filed in this matter.
Per the complaint, Asino’s alleged conduct came to the
attention of the FBI on Nov. 7, 2019. During online communications, Asino told
an undercover law enforcement officer he had a sexual relationship with a
15-year-old female. Asino told the undercover law enforcement officer that he
met the minor through a social media application. During his communications
with the undercover officer, Asino sent images of the 15-year old victim’s body
and face to the undercover officer, and then directed the undercover officer to
a website where Asino had posted sexually explicit images of the victim. As a
result of further investigation thus far, the FBI has identified one additional
minor who was allegedly victimized by Asino.
According to the complaint, Asino would prey on his minor
victims through online social media applications, such as, but not limited to,
Snapchat, Tagged, and Whisper, and would meet minor females through pay dating
websites. Asino allegedly distributed meth, cash, food, gifts, and cab fares to
minors in exchange for sexual favors. Asino is also accused of posting images
of child pornography and personal videos of sexual acts with minors on
pornographic websites.
If the public has any further information regarding Asino’s
activities, please contact Anchorage FBI at (907) 276-4441.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Anchorage
Police Department (APD) as part of the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force
conducted the investigation leading to the arrest in this case. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant
U.S. Attorney Adam Alexander.
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