NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) – A Newport News firefighter and medic was arrested Friday in Suffolk on charges related to crimes against children.
The City of Newport News released a statement on Saturday after learning that firefighter and medic Alex Buenaga had been arrested on Friday by the Suffolk Police Department.
Suffolk PD confirmed that Buenaga was arrested in relation to an FBI investigation.
According to City of Newport News Communications and Media Relations Manager Kimberly Bracy, Buenaga has been placed on administrative leave without pay.
Buenaga is being held at Western Tidewater Regional Jail.
The jail’s website says Buenaga was charged with two counts of sexual assault of a victim under the age of 13, a family offense of child abuse and neglect, serious injury, possession of schedule I or II narcotics, possession of schedule I/II narcotics while possessing a firearm and several child porn charges including possession of obscene material, reproduce, transmit, sell, etc. child porn and producing, making child porn of a child under the age of 15.
The city released a statement regarding the arrest, which can be read in full below:
The City of Newport News has learned of the arrest of Newport News Firefighter/Medic Alex Buenago for crimes against children. The arrest was made by the Suffolk Police Department on Friday, Jan. 24. Buenaga has been placed on administrative leave without pay. The safety and well-being of our community are our top priorities.
Kimberly D. Bracy, MA, Communications and Media Relations Manager
10 On Your Side went to Buenaga’s house and a woman inside said she had no comment.
Neighbors said they didn’t know much about Buenaga and did not speak except for the occasional hello. They saw multiple cars outside the house on Friday. One neighbor said the news shocked considering they had young children themselves.
Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.