Latest news with #AustinPittman
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Ohio man investigated after AI-generated child porn found, says he did it for ‘shock factor'
An Ohio man is in jail after investigators discovered AI-generated child sexual abuse material. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The investigation began in January 2025 when a task force received multiple reports of a Kik user uploading suspected child sexual abuse material, our news partners at WBNS reported. Most of the reports shared an IP address, which was traced to a duplex in Columbus. Authorities began surveillance on the Columbus duplex and identified a vehicle registered to a family member of the suspect. By March 2025, investigators learned the suspect and his family had moved to Hilliard. On April 29, investigators obtained a search warrant for the new address. TRENDING STORIES: Solicitor doesn't have required permits, resists arrest after reports of suspicious behavior 2 taken to area hospital after wrong-way crash on SR 4 in Huber Heights 1 dead after shooting near Fairborn apartment complex According to the affidavit, Austin Pittman was present at the time and admitted to creating Kik accounts under the username that had triggered the original reports. He also admitted to viewing and sharing child sexual abuse material 'for the shock factor,' the affidavit says. According to the affidavit, investigators say Pittman had used a family photo containing juveniles and digitally altered it to depict the children nude. Several altered files included a note reading 'Powered by AI-generated.' Pittman was discharged from the Army under 'Other than Honorable' conditions, court documents state. Pittman was formally charged with additional federal crimes related to the production and possession of morphed or AI-generated child pornography. He is currently in custody at the Franklin County Jail. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Hilliard man used AI to create child porn, shared it on Kik, feds say
A Hilliard man faces federal criminal charges accusing him of producing nude AI-generated images on children. Austin Pittman, 25, is charged with distribution and possession of child pornography, possessing AI-generated child pornography, and production of AI-generated child pornography on June 9 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. The Franklin County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received several tips that a user on the instant messaging app Kik had sent another user suspected child sexual abuse material from June to September 2024, according to court records. The videos appeared to show a child and an adult engaged in sexual activities. Members of the task force traced the IP address to a duplex on East Beck Street in Columbus' Schumacher Place neighborhood, where Pittman lived, according to court records. Law enforcement traced activity from the Kik username to Fort Bragg in North Carolina, where Pittman had previously been stationed before he was given an "other than honorable discharge" from the U.S. Army, according to court records. In March 2025, Pittman and his family moved to Hilliard. Law enforcement obtained a search warrant for his home there and arrested him on April 29. Pittman told officials he was viewing the child sexual abuse material for "shock value." He said he had a porn addiction and was sending the images and videos to other people in exchange for more porn, according to court records. Police seized his phone and found 200 more images, including nude images of two minor children he generated using AI and family photos, according to court records. Pittman remains in the Franklin County Jail awaiting a June 21 court hearing. The Franklin County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force includes several area and federal law enforcement agencies, including Columbus and Hilliard police, the Franklin County Sheriff's Office and Homeland Security Investigations. Public Safety and Breaking News Reporter Bailey Gallion can be reached at bagallion@ This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio man used AI to create porn shared on Kik, feds say
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Hilliard man allegedly aletered photos to depict child pornography
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A Hilliard man is under arrest for possessing sexual material depicting children, including images generated by artificial intelligence. Austin Pittman, 25, was arrested last month and faces federal charges of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor. According to court records filed Monday, electronic devices belonging to Pittman allegedly contained hundreds of images depicting children engaging in sexual acts, including some generated and used by law enforcement officials to track suspects. Pittman allegedly altered images he took to have them depict child sexual abuse. The investigation into Pittman started in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where Pittman was given an 'other than honorable discharge' from the U.S. Army, court records state. The investigation traced IP addresses and Kik usernames all registered to Pittman, according to court records. When confronted by law enforcement, Pittman allegedly admitted to viewing the child pornography for the 'shock factor,' court records state. He then allegedly admitted to exchanging child sexual material with others and that he had a pornography problem. He is charged with receipt/transportation/distribution/possession of child pornography, possession of AI generated child pornography, and production of morphed image or AI generated child pornography. There is currently no scheduled court appearance for Pittman. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
