Former Army Recruiter Pleads Guilty to Enticement
Bart Anthony Reyna admits to attempting to meet a minor following an undercover operation.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Sex Crimes
Bart Anthony Reyna has pleaded guilty to the attempted enticement of a minor. The 40-year-old former Army recruiter was apprehended in Anchorage after an undercover investigator posed as a 15-year-old girl.
Why it matters
The case highlights the methods used by law enforcement to identify and intercept individuals targeting minors through online channels. This conviction follows years of prior investigations into the defendant's conduct.
Bart Anthony Reyna entered a guilty plea following his arrest at Tikahtnu Commons. His sentencing hearing is currently scheduled for February 2, 2027.
The players
Bart Anthony Reyna
He is a 40-year-old former Army recruiter who was arrested in Anchorage following an undercover operation.
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
This organization issued a 2023 report that identified a Snapchat account associated with Reyna's birth date.
Anchorage Police
This local agency conducted the investigation and carried out the arrest of the suspect at Tikahtnu Commons.
The details
An undercover investigator initiated contact with Reyna on May 16, 2026, leading to a planned meeting at the Tikahtnu Commons shopping center. Police took Reyna into custody on May 21, 2026, after he arrived at the location to meet the person he believed was a minor.
Timeline
Texas police investigated Reyna regarding child sexual abuse material in 2016.
A Snapchat account linked to Reyna was identified by the NCMEC in 2023.
Undercover investigators began communicating with Reyna on May 16, 2026.
Police arrested Reyna at Tikahtnu Commons on May 21, 2026.
The court will hold the sentencing hearing for Reyna on February 2, 2027.
Legal Context
The current conviction in Anchorage extends the legal scrutiny of Bart Anthony Reyna that began with the 2016 Portland, Texas investigation. This case follows a long history of law enforcement monitoring regarding the defendant's online activity.
The arrest at Tikahtnu Commons serves as a reminder for residents to remain vigilant regarding online interactions. Local authorities continue to focus on protecting community members from exploitation through proactive investigations.
The takeaway
Online safety remains a critical concern as individuals continue to target minors through public social platforms. Residents are encouraged to report suspicious online activity to local law enforcement to assist in ongoing protective efforts.
What happens next
The court has set a formal sentencing hearing for Bart Anthony Reyna on February 2, 2027.
Further reading
For more information on legal proceedings regarding these types of cases, visit the Sex Crimes section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Alaskasnewssource.
