A U.S. Navy sailor stationed in Augusta, Georgia, has been indicted on multiple federal charges related to child sex crimes following an investigation into his alleged online relationship with a minor. The indictment was unsealed in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Bryce Lucas Stimka, 24, was arrested on July 30, 2025. According to court documents, between July 17, 2024 and March 30, 2025, Stimka allegedly communicated with a 14-year-old girl over social media. Authorities say more than 15,000 text messages were exchanged between Stimka and the minor that discussed sexual acts, the victim’s age, and their potential relationship. Investigators also allege that sexually explicit images and videos of the victim were exchanged during this period.
The investigation linked the social media account used by Stimka to subscriber information and IP addresses associated with him. Photographs posted on the account also matched images of Stimka.
Stimka faces charges including production of child pornography, coercion and enticement for illegal sexual activity, and receipt of child pornography. His initial court appearance in Utah has not yet been scheduled.
Acting United States Attorney Felice John Viti for the District of Utah announced the indictment.
The case is being investigated by an officer from the West Valley Police Department assigned to the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. Additional support came from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) and the FBI Atlanta Field Office’s Augusta Resident Agency.
Assistant United States Attorney Carol A. Dain of the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.
“This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.”
Authorities remind that an indictment is an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
