MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas (KBTX) – Artificial intelligence isn’t just the technology of the future, experts say it already exists and a local arrest shows how bad actors are taking advantage of it. A Montgomery County man was released on bail after being arrested for possession of child pornography.
Montgomery County Precinct 3 investigators found Roman Shoffner, 30, with a nude photo of a 17-year-old girl. The photo was not real, even though the teen is.
Constable’s Office Public Information Officer Ken Washington said the teen didn’t even know the photo existed and the two had never met.
“This was actually a 17-year-old’s head that had been altered and placed on a naked individual’s body and that’s what he had in his possession,” Washington said. “We don’t believe the 17-year-old actually knew Roman.”
A deep fake law is in effect in Texas, one of only 11 states to have laws on this type of AI-generated media.
It’s so new — the law went into effect less than a year ago — but it’s one of the only ways Shoffner could be charged with violating the juvenile law.
“Because of the changes in the law, that’s what allowed the detectives who were investigating to use that specific charge,” Washington said.
It’s a difficult crime to track because it’s so new, and retired investigator Donnie Manry says it’s growing quickly.
“That’s the tip of the iceberg. Now that we have AI, it’s very easy for anyone with basic computer skills, if they have any, to be able to use AI to create images and modify them, even add voices to them,” he said. “They used to say, ‘I won’t believe it until I see it with my own eyes,’ right? Well, you can’t trust those people anymore. It doesn’t matter if you see it with your own eyes, it might not be real.”
Not only is it difficult for legislators to keep pace, but avoiding victimization is the next challenge.
“Parents need to be parents. Look over their kids’ shoulders. No matter how old they are, look over your kids’ shoulders. If you have a question about their devices or you think something is wrong, check it out. They may be upset in the moment, but they may thank you,” Manry said.
“Make sure your security settings are set on your profile. Don’t just post your photos anywhere on social media,” Washington said.
Shoffner was released on bail from the Montgomery County Jail. He is charged with possession of child pornography.
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