Kansas Soldier Sentenced to 40 Years for Child Exploitation

A U. S. Army soldier stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for his role in coaxing minors into producing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

Bebak Gurung, 22, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, specifically for the production of child pornography, according to the U. S. Attorney's Office.

The investigation into Gurung's activities began in 2025 when the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) received a report that a minor in New York had been victimized through online messaging platforms. The FBI was provided with saved communications between the victim and Gurung, which served as evidence in the case. Agents determined that Gurung, while stationed at Fort Riley, instructed the minor to produce videos of sexually explicit conduct.

During the execution of a search warrant in Gurung's barracks, FBI agents seized several electronic devices belonging to Gurung. These devices contained CSAM and led to the discovery of another minor victim in Kansas.

U. S. Attorney Ryan A.

Kriegshauser emphasized the importance of vigilance in protecting children from online predators, stating, "Mr. Gurung lied to his victims about being a female to more easily gain their trust, which is why we must teach our children that not everyone is who they say they are, particularly online." He also praised the parents who reported the crime, allowing authorities to stop Gurung's actions.

FBI Kansas City Special Agent in Charge Chris Ormerod reiterated the FBI's commitment to protecting children from online predators, stating, "Those who exploit our children for sexual gratification will be identified, investigated, and held accountable for their actions."

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Walton and was part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. The initiative aims to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet and to identify and rescue victims.

The investigation and prosecution of Gurung highlight the ongoing efforts of federal, state, and local resources to protect children from online exploitation and ensure that offenders are brought to justice.