Texas arrests man over Artificial Intelligence-generated child abuse images

Texas authorities arrested a Carrizo Springs man accused of creating hundreds of pornographic images and videos involving children by using Artificial Intelligence tools to manipulate photos taken from public school-affiliated pages. Investigators said the case also uncovered non-Artificial Intelligence-generated child sexual abuse images and identified approximately 30 victims.

The Texas Department of Public Safety, working with the FBI and the Dimmit Co. Sheriff’s Office, announced the arrest of Adan Covarrubias, 31, in a case centered on computer-generated child pornography involving South Texas children. Authorities said he was arrested earlier this month by DPS Criminal Investigations Division special agents and charged with felony possession of computer-generated child pornography under Senate Bill 20, a law passed in the last legislative session.

In April 2026, as part of a months-long Artificial Intelligence-generated child pornography investigation, FBI Del Rio received consent to search and seize electronic devices at Covarrubias’ residence in Carrizo Springs. FBI agents identified more than 900 images and videos containing Artificial Intelligence-generated pornographic images created by Covarrubias, depicting both prepubescent and pubescent children. Multiple non-Artificial Intelligence-generated pornographic images of children were also identified in the seized digital evidence.

Investigators determined that Covarrubias had taken photos from open-source pages affiliated with South Texas schools and manipulated them through Artificial Intelligence tools to “nudify” the children. To date, approximately 30 child victims have been identified as part of this investigation. Covarrubias was arrested and then booked into the Dimmit Co. Jail on May 19, 2026, for possession of computer-generated child pornography, a first-degree felony.

The department said Senate Bill 20 created a new state jail felony offense for the possession or promotion of obscene visual material that appears to depict a child. The law applies whether the depiction involves an actual child, a cartoon or animation, or an image created using Artificial Intelligence or other computer software. State and federal officials said the case reflects how evolving technology is being used to exploit children and underscored continued coordination among local, state and federal agencies to pursue offenders and support victims and their families.

58

Impact Score

Google launches Gemini Omni for conversational video editing

Google has introduced Gemini Omni, a video model that edits and generates clips through natural conversation using text, images, audio, and existing footage. The first public version, Gemini Omni Flash, is now rolling out across the Gemini app, Google Flow, and YouTube Shorts.

Regulators use Artificial Intelligence to scrutinize disclosures

US, UK, and European regulators are using or exploring Artificial Intelligence tools to detect disclosure problems and monitor firms more effectively. Compliance specialists say supervisors may now be ahead of financial institutions in some areas of technological sophistication.

Pope Leo frames Artificial Intelligence as a media power struggle

Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical casts Artificial Intelligence as a moral question of power, labor, and collective responsibility, offering publishers a framework for negotiating with technology companies. The broader media landscape is also shifting as AP supplies election data to ChatGPT, YouTube expands labeling of Artificial Intelligence video, and search traffic declines for publishers.

Contact Us

Got questions? Use the form to contact us.

Contact Form

Clicking next sends a verification code to your email. After verifying, you can enter your message.