Fort Bragg, NC – A 20-year-old Minnesota man assigned to Fort Bragg was arrested in North Carolina after authorities secured a nationwide extradition warrant tied to felony child sexual abuse material charges.
Landon Elias Rudolph, formerly of Pine Island, Minnesota, was booked into the Cumberland County Detention Center on May 26 after investigators in Goodhue County, Minnesota accused him of multiple felony offenses involving child sexual abuse material and electronic communications with minors.
Update, May 30, 2026: After publication, Fort Bragg Public Affairs confirmed to The Salty Soldier that Landon Elias Rudolph was assigned to Fort Bragg at the time of his arrest. The confirmation came after initial inquiries were referred to Army Media Relations. Fort Bragg has not yet provided information regarding Rudolph’s rank, unit assignment, duty status, or whether any administrative or military justice actions have been initiated.
After Zumbrota Police Department secured a nationwide extradition warrant for Rudolph, he was arrested in North Carolina with the assistance of Army CID at Fort Bragg.
Court records reviewed by The Salty Soldier show Rudolph is accused of:
- two counts involving the use of minors in sexual performances/child sexual abuse material,
- possession of child sexual abuse material,
- and engaging in electronic communication relating to or describing sexual conduct with a child.
North Carolina records show the alleged offense timeline spans from July 6, 2025, through May 27, 2026.
Cumberland County court records show Rudolph’s bond at $250,000 secured following his arrest.
Additional investigative details were first reported by local Minnesota news outlet, which reported that investigators alleged Rudolph used Snapchat to communicate with juveniles and solicit sexually explicit photos and videos. According to that reporting, one juvenile told investigators Rudolph repeatedly pressured her for nude images despite allegedly knowing she was 16 years old.
Investigators also allegedly uncovered communications involving a second 16-year-old juvenile. Authorities reportedly believe Rudolph saved sexually explicit material involving the second juvenile to his personal phone.
According to reporting by the Post Bulletin, Rudolph allegedly told investigators in April that he planned to return to duty at Fort Bragg. Fort Bragg Public Affairs later confirmed to The Salty Soldier that Rudolph was assigned to the installation at the time of his arrest.
The investigation appears to have extended beyond Rudolph alone. Zumbrota Police Sgt. Tony Pasquale stated that additional adult suspects were identified during the course of the investigation and that evidence had been referred to other law enforcement agencies for possible prosecution.
A press release issued by the Zumbrota Police Department stated the investigation involved assistance from the Rochester Police Department’s Technology Forensic Unit and the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division’s Carolinas Field Office.
According to the Post Bulletin, Rudolph allegedly told investigators in April that he planned to return to duty at an Army installation at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
As of publication, the underlying Minnesota criminal case did not yet appear in Minnesota Court Records Online.
Following publication, Fort Bragg Public Affairs confirmed Rudolph was assigned to the installation at the time of his arrest. Questions regarding his rank, unit assignment, duty status, and any potential administrative or military justice actions remain pending with Army officials.
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