Florida 3rd Grade Teacher Arrested for Creating CSAM with AI and Yearbook Photos

WFLA:

"TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A teacher at a Christian school in New Port Richey was arrested Tuesday after he was accused of using yearbook photos of his students to create AI-generated child pornography.

Steven Houser, 67, works as a third grade science teacher at Beacon Christian Academy in New Port Richey, according to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO).

The sheriff’s office was tipped off to Houser and started investigating. In a news release, PCSO said Houser was in possession of two photos and three videos of children pornography. The sheriff’s office said none of the media featured his students.

Deputies discovered Houser had AI-generated child pornography, which he admitted to creating with three student yearbook photos, according to PCSO. "

Okay, so this video raises a very good question.

If some weirdo uses AI to make CSAM for their own benefit, and nobody ever finds out about it, has a crime been committed?

We've already been over this in America.  But because our justice system is spottier than a measles ward, there's no firm answer.

I recall a case -- I know I blogged it somewhere -- of a convicted molester who is sitting in prison for CSAM.  He was found to have been making drawings of CSAM in his cell.  And he was charged with production of CSAM, and had time added to his sentence, because he made drawings to jerk off to.

Now, personally I think that's a little draconian.  He's not an actual threat to children.  We're in the realm of thought crimes now, where he's doing time in prison for fantasizing and masturbating.  Now we're punishing him just for being a pedophile, which I don't support.

But in this particular case?  It's a much harder question.  I'm doing a lot of numbered lists today, so I'll continue.

1. He can't be a teacher ever again.
   
2. He can't be around kids ever again.
   
3. There's no way to stop him from sharing those images, which were made from photos of actual children that he knows.
   
4. Those are children that he actually knows, which is stomach turning.
   

I'm not in favor of CSAM anime, cartoons, and other abusive materials that encourage and promote the abuse and exploitation of children.  But I'm not sure you can criminalize it.  Then again, I'm not an attorney, just an old lady with an opinion that nobody gives a shit about.