Fort Eustis Soldier Sentenced for Coercing Underage Girls Online

Brady Beck Fant will spend 10 years in prison for preying on minors through social media.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A 32-year-old soldier at Fort Eustis in Newport News, Virginia has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for coercing and enticing underage girls online. Brady Beck Fant targeted minors through social media, enticing them to send sexually explicit images and videos, and also sent illicit photos of himself to his victims. After an investigation by the North Texas Internet Crimes Against Children task force, Fant's electronic devices were seized and found to contain child sexual abuse material.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing threat of online predators targeting minors through social media platforms. It underscores the importance of education, vigilance, and law enforcement efforts to protect vulnerable young people from exploitation and abuse.

The details

According to court documents, Fant used social media to prey on underage girls, engaging them in inappropriate conversations and coercing them to send sexually graphic images and videos. Investigators also found that Fant had sent illicit photos of himself to his young victims. After the North Texas Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force identified Fant, law enforcement seized his electronic devices, on which they discovered child sexual abuse material.

  • On February 23, 2026, Fant was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

The players

Brady Beck Fant

A 32-year-old soldier at Fort Eustis in Newport News, Virginia who was sentenced to 10 years in prison for coercing and enticing underage girls online.

North Texas Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force

The law enforcement task force that identified Fant and led the investigation that resulted in his conviction.

United States Army

Fant's employer, which is currently pending an Other Than Honorable Discharge for him.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

An Other Than Honorable Discharge from the United States Army is currently pending for Fant.

The takeaway

This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers children face online and the critical need for parents, educators, and law enforcement to remain vigilant in protecting minors from sexual predators who exploit social media platforms.