A former soldier has been convicted of sexually abusing children at Fort Stewart while he was on active duty.
Austin Michael Burak, 32, Oak Harbor, WA, was convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact of a Child, or Attempt and Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child, or Attempt following jury trial in the Southern District of Georgia during a four-day trial.
“We are committed to protecting our most vulnerable citizens,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Lyons. “In collaboration with our law enforcement partners, we will strive to keep our children and our communities safe.”
As described in courtroom testimony, in August of 2017, Burak sexually abused a minor by fondling the child’s genitals when the child was merely nine years old. On the same night in 2017, Burak anally raped another child who was only thirteen years old.
In April of 2017, he was arrested in Downtown Savannah for public drunkenness and reckless conduct.
He pleaded guilty to reckless conduct, and the public drunkenness was dismissed by the court, according to court records.
The trial was held on May 12-15, 2025.
During the FBI’s investigation, a relative of Burak’s came forward and alleged that he had molested her over an eight-year period, beginning when he was just 10 years old and continuing until he turned 18.
She alleged that he “touched her breasts, vaginal area, buttocks, arms, legs – ‘pretty much everywhere,’ and performed oral sex on her against her will.”
Burak awaits sentencing upon the U.S. Probation Services completing a presentence investigation.
“This sends a clear message: Army CID and our law enforcement partners will not tolerate these heinous acts,” said Special Agent in Charge Michele Starostka of the Department of Army Criminal Investigation Division’s Western Field Office. “We are committed to aggressively investigating all crimes, establishing the facts, and supporting the legal process against those responsible.”
“No child should have to experience this heinous abuse. The FBI is committed to tracking down and holding accountable people like Burak who prey on children,” said FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown. “We will ensure that criminals engaged in this depraved conduct are held accountable in a court of law.”
The case was investigated by the Army Criminal Investigation Division at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, and Federal Bureau of Investigations and prosecuted for the United States by the Southern District of Georgia Assistant United States Attorneys Sherri A. Stephan and Michael Z. Spitulnik.
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