A former Fairbanks teacher, Skyler Evans, was arrested after a federal grand jury in Alaska returned an indictment charging him with sexually exploiting a child to produce and possess child sexual abuse materials, according to an April 30 announcement by authorities.
The case is significant because it highlights ongoing efforts to address the exploitation of children online. The indictment alleges that Evans, age 34, coerced a minor into engaging in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions of that conduct. It further states that he possessed and attempted to possess such material between unknown dates and March 25, 2025.
Evans faces one count each of sexual exploitation of a child—production of child pornography—and possession of child pornography. If convicted, he could receive between 15 and 30 years in prison. His initial court appearance is scheduled for May 4 before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the District Court for the District of Alaska. Sentencing would be determined by a federal district court judge after considering applicable guidelines and statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska said the FBI Anchorage Field Office is leading the investigation with help from the Fairbanks Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carly Vosacek will prosecute the case.
The charges are part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse nationwide through coordinated federal, state, and local resources. More information about this initiative can be found at Justice.gov/PSC.
Authorities remind readers that an indictment is only an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
