Texas janitor charged with AI-generated child sexual abuse material
A Texas school janitor was charged with using artificial intelligence to create sexually explicit images by superimposing the faces of students whose photos he took in his roles as a janitor and school photographer onto adult nude images and videos. The suspect reportedly admitted to viewing child sexual abuse material for up to six hours daily over 20 to 25 years and described his conduct as a "power trip."
What happened
Daril Martin Gonzales, 55, a janitor for Anson ISD in Texas, was charged with one count of possession and attempted possession of child pornography and one count of possession and attempted possession of obscene visual representation of a child.
Gonzales also worked as a school sports and cheerleader photographer, taking photographs of middle and high school students. Without the children's knowledge, he used artificial intelligence to replace the faces of adult subjects in sexually explicit videos or AI-generated nude subjects with the faces of female students.
Reported impact
Victims reported feelings of violation, disgust, embarrassment, and fear that their images could be posted or sold. One victim stated: 'Knowing he took those photographs and what he does with them, it really makes me sick to my stomach. I feel gross. I know it's not me, but it makes me feel gross and violated and disrespected.'
Index analysis
According to a police report admitted into evidence at the detention hearing, Gonzales allegedly described his crimes as a 'power trip' and admitted to viewing child pornography for up to six hours per day for the past 20 to 25 years.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.