Former Army Soldier at Fort Stewart Found Guilty of Sexually Abusing Two Children

Austin Michael Burak, 32, of Oak Harbor, Washington, has been convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact of a Child, or Attempt and Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child, or Attempt, following a jury trial in the Southern District of Georgia. The verdict was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Tara M. Lyons. The assaults occurred while on post at Fort Stewart in South Georgia.

The four-day trial, presided over by U.S. District Court Chief Judge R. Stan Baker, concluded on May 15, 2025. Courtroom testimony detailed that in August 2017, Burak sexually abused a nine-year-old child by fondling the child’s genitals. On the same night, he anally raped another child who was thirteen years old.

“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.”

Burak is awaiting sentencing, which will be determined after U.S. Probation Services completes a presentence investigation.

Special Agent in Charge Michele Starostka of the Department of Army Criminal Investigation Division’s Western Field Office stated, “This sends a clear message: Army CID and our law enforcement partners will not tolerate these heinous acts.” FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown added, “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.”

The case was investigated by the Army Criminal Investigation Division at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Sherri A. Stephan and Michael Z. Spitulnik prosecuted the case for the United States.