A federal grand jury in Pittsburgh has indicted Renad Bautista, a 36-year-old former resident of Las Vegas, Nevada, on charges of cyberstalking and sexual exploitation of a minor. The announcement was made by First Assistant United States Attorney Troy Rivetti.
The indictment alleges that from May 2022 through August 2025, Bautista intimidated and harassed a victim in the Western District of Pennsylvania. According to the charges, Bautista repeatedly attempted to contact the individual—who was a minor at the start of the alleged conduct—via social media and by sending letters through the mail. Authorities state that all contact was unwanted and caused significant emotional distress to both the victim and her immediate family.
If convicted, Bautista faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a fine up to $250,000. Sentencing will be determined based on federal guidelines considering the severity of the offenses and any prior criminal history.
Bautista is currently detained following his arrest in Las Vegas and subsequent arraignment in Pennsylvania earlier this week.
Assistant United States Attorney Heidi M. Grogan is prosecuting the case for the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Pittsburgh office led the investigation.
“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 the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.”
Officials emphasized that an indictment is an accusation; Bautista is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
