Topeka man sentenced for use of artificial intelligence to create child pornography

TOPEKA (KSNT) - A federal judge sentenced a Topeka man to prison for his use of artificial intelligence to create pornographic images of adult and minor females without their consent.

Danielle Thomas with the U.S. Department of Justice said in a press release that a federal judge sentenced 47-year-old Jeremy Weber to 25 years in prison on Nov. 6 for five counts of transportation of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. Weber uploaded images of children and women he knew into a publicly available artificial intelligence platform, then used it to manipulate the photos into depictions of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

Thomas said Weber also uploaded previously trafficked images of CSAM to the same online platform. He then change the original image with the face of an adult or minor female to create a new image of CSAM.

Investigators found 32 women whose photos were used to create new CSAM. Additionally, Weber used the same artificial intelligence program to create adult pornographic images of around 50-60 women without their consent.

“While it is still an emerging technology, I believe there can be many wonderful and beneficial aspects of artificial intelligence, but there is also a dark side," said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser. "Unfortunately, child predators are using AI for twisted and perverse activities. The fact that Jeremy Weber was able to create realistic looking images of child pornography using the faces of children and adults should remind us that we are all vulnerable to this type of violation. Although the images were ‘fake’, the harm he inflicted on the victims and the consequences were very real.”

Law enforcement started investigating Weber after an IT professional reportedly saw criminal activity on his computer. Law enforcement used a search warrant at Weber's home and found an encrypted hard drive containing folders with newly created sexually explicit images.

“The FBI is grateful for the work of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners, including the Topeka Police Department for their work in this case,” said Special Agent in Charge Stephen A. Cyrus of the FBI Kansas City Field Office. “The sentencing reflects the severity of conduct the defendant has pled to and should send a message to anyone conducting this type of behavior: the FBI will not flinch to seek justice.”

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