PITTSBURGH — A 36-year-old former Las Vegas resident has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pennsylvania on charges of cyberstalking and sexual exploitation of a minor, federal prosecutors announced Friday.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Renad Bautista is accused of harassing and intimidating a victim from May 2022 through August 2025. Prosecutors say Bautista repeatedly contacted her over social media and sent her multiple letters through the mail, all unwanted and allegedly causing substantial emotional distress to the victim and her family.

The four-count indictment charges Bautista with federal cyberstalking and sexual exploitation of a minor. The offenses carry a maximum penalty of up to life in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

Bautista was arrested in Las Vegas earlier this week and later arraigned in the Western District of Pennsylvania. He remains in federal custody.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Heidi M. Grogan. The investigation was led by the FBI Pittsburgh Field Office.

Federal authorities said the charges were brought under Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide Department of Justice initiative aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and online abuse. The program coordinates federal, state and local efforts to track offenders and rescue victims.

Officials emphasized that an indictment is merely an allegation and Bautista is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.