Andrew West James Convicted of Seven Counts of Sexual Abuse of a Minor

On May 26, 2026, an Anchorage jury convicted 45-year old Andrew West James following a multi-year, multi-national investigation into the long-term sexual abuse of his children in Anchorage. The Anchorage jury returned a guilty verdict on two counts of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in the First Degree and five counts of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in the Second Degree.

Three of Mr. James’ adopted daughters disclosed multiple sexual assaults between 2015 and 2018, as well as the surreptitious recording of children through covert cameras concealed in electrical outlets and light fixtures inside bathrooms and bedrooms at the family's Anchorage residence. The investigation extended well beyond Alaska's borders after one daughter attempted to report the sexual assaults. The family then moved to Cambodia, Guatemala, Italy, and Louisiana, requiring investigators to coordinate across multiple international jurisdictions.

"The verdict is the result of years of careful, trauma-informed investigative work by detectives, forensic examiners and interviewers, victim advocates, and our prosecuting partners," the Anchorage Police Department said. "Our deepest respect goes to the survivors who came forward and trusted this process. Their courage made this prosecution possible."

The investigation was conducted by the Anchorage Police Department's Special Victims Unit, the Federal Bureau of Investigation – Anchorage Field Office, Alaska Office of Children Services, and the Slidell Police Department, in coordination with the Alaska Department of Law, and partner agencies in the United States and abroad.

Mr. James remains in custody pending sentencing on October 5, 2026. The Anchorage Police Department thanks the survivors, their advocates, and every domestic and international partner whose work made today's verdict possible.