Bethlehem man charged with possession of AI-generated child sexual abuse images
A 34-year-old Bethlehem, Pennsylvania man was charged with possessing and creating AI-generated child sexual abuse images by manipulating innocent vacation photos of children using artificial intelligence photo editing software. The case is among the first prosecutions under a Pennsylvania law enacted in December 2024 that specifically criminalizes the creation of AI-generated child sexual abuse material.
What happened
Adam Erdman, 34, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania is accused of using artificial intelligence photo editing software to alter innocent vacation photos of two children younger than 18 to make them appear naked, according to the Lehigh County District Attorney.
On March 25, 2025, Erdman's estranged wife found a message with the subject line 'still images' on his computer containing three AI-generated nude images of underage girls, which she reported to Bethlehem police in late March.
Erdman was charged on April 17, 2025 with three counts of child sexual abuse material and one count of criminal use of a communications facility. He is charged under a Pennsylvania law that went into effect December 30, 2024, which prohibits the use of technical means such as AI and photo editing software to produce images that authentically depict a child engaging in any sexual act.
Reported impact
The images created involved two children under 18 whose innocent vacation photos were manipulated without consent.
Index analysis
The case is one of the first prosecutions under the new Pennsylvania law criminalizing AI-generated child sexual abuse material. A York County man was the first to be charged under the statute, and a Lancaster County case involved juveniles who artificially generated nude photos of approximately 60 female students.
Governance controls
Pennsylvania enacted legislation effective December 30, 2024, sponsored by Sens. Tracy Pennycuick, Jimmy Dillon and Lisa Boscola, which prohibits the use of technical means such as AI and photo editing software to produce images that authentically depict children in sexual acts, establishing serious felony charges for violations.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.