Utqiagvik Man Sentenced to 18 Years for Producing Child Abuse Material

Donovan Nungasak, 32, of Utqiagvik was sentenced last week to 18 years in federal prison for sexually exploiting minors to produce child sexual abuse material, closing a case that began with a single anonymous tip to the FBI in August 2024 and led investigators to 41 images recovered from his devices.

The FBI's Anchorage Field Office opened a digital investigation after receiving that tip. Court documents show Nungasak had been corresponding with at least one underage victim for the purpose of sexual exploitation and had sent the minor sexually explicit images. After obtaining a search warrant, agents recovered the 41 images from his phone. He was arrested at his Utqiagvik home on April 28, 2025, and a federal grand jury subsequently indicted him on production and possession counts. On October 30, 2025, Nungasak pleaded guilty to one count of production of child sexual abuse material before the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska.

A witness told investigators that Nungasak said he preferred younger girls because he could "groom" them to his liking, according to court filings cited by the Department of Justice.

The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Alaska handled the prosecution. Beyond the 18-year prison term, the court ordered 20 years of supervised release. Under the federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, Nungasak will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release, regardless of where he resides. Supervised release conditions in federal sex offense cases typically include restrictions on contact with minors and on internet access, monitored by U.S. Probation officers.

North Slope residents who want to report suspected online exploitation of children can submit anonymous tips to the FBI at tips.fbi.gov or by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children operates a 24-hour CyberTipline at 1-800-843-5678 that handles online solicitation, sexting involving minors, and distribution of child sexual abuse material. Tips submitted through either channel are routed to federal investigators and Internet Crimes Against Children task forces.

Reporting in small, tight-knit villages carries real social risk, and the Nungasak case demonstrates that anonymous federal tips can initiate a full investigation without exposing the person who came forward. The Alaska State Troopers' B Detachment, based in Utqiagvik, can also receive local reports of child exploitation and coordinate with state and federal agencies.

Warning signs of online grooming include a child receiving unexplained gifts, becoming secretive about phone or device use, adopting unfamiliar sexual language, or withdrawing from family. Victims and families seeking support can contact the North Slope Borough Department of Health and Social Services, which can connect residents with advocacy and counseling resources. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Alaska assigns Victim-Witness Assistance Program coordinators to federally prosecuted cases, providing guidance through proceedings and referrals to local services.