A U.S. Army soldier stationed in Alaska was arrested last week on charges related to transporting, receiving and possessing files depicting child sexual abuse, and using AI to generate sexually explicit images of children.
According to a report from the Department of Justice releaseSeth Herrera, 34, is accused of transporting, receiving and possessing files containing child sexual abuse material and is also accused of using an online AI chatbot to create realistic child sexual abuse images involving minors known to him.
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 30: The American flag flies above a sign at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Headquarters Building in Washington, DC on January 20, 2024. (Photo by J. David Ake/Getty Images)
“As alleged, Seth Herrera possessed thousands of images depicting the violent sexual abuse of children, including young children, and he also allegedly used AI to create images depicting the sexual exploitation of children he knew,” Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, director of the Justice Department's Criminal Division, said in a press release. “Today's announcement should serve as a further warning that the Criminal Division will aggressively pursue those who possess or produce child sexual abuse material, including when the images were generated by AI.” (Related article: Elementary school parent arrested for allegedly engaging in inappropriate conduct with 8-year-old girl)
“The charges against U.S. Army soldier Herrera of using artificial intelligence to traffic and generate child sexual abuse material are both a serious breach of trust and a harbinger of the challenges law enforcement will continue to face in tackling this evolving threat to children,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer of HSI's Pacific Northwest Division.
Herrera is charged with transportation, receipt and possession of child pornography. He is scheduled to make his initial appearance before Judge Kyle F. Reardon of the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska on August 27. If convicted, Herrera could face up to 20 years in prison, the press release stated. The final sentence will be determined by a U.S. District Court judge, taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant statutory factors. “This egregious misconduct undermines Herrera's commitment to protecting our country and its most vulnerable people,” Special Agent Hammer said.
