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JBER Airman Arrested on Child Pornography Charges Involving AI-Generated Images

Michael Thompson
Senior Reporter
Updated
Dec 29, 2024 3:38 PM
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Last week, an Alaska Airman stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson was detained with the man who initially reported him to law enforcement. Both of them faced federal charges linked to photos of child sexual assault, some of which were reportedly produced using artificial intelligence. 

Twenty-seven-year-old Caleb French was accused of distributing and possessing child pornography. After 31-year-old Anthaney O'Connor claimed to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations that an airman had mailed him child sexual abuse materials, an FBI inquiry was launched. 

Searching French's house, law officers found his phone, laptop, and thumb drive loaded with many photographs and films showing child sexual abuse. According to the investigation, the French had surreptitiously shot local toddlers to use in AI-generated photos. 

Authorities also discovered proof that French kept taking pictures of minors while the probe was underway. After detectives discovered illegal content on his devices—including AI-generated images—O'Connor was also jailed on several child pornography offenses. 

The men are both still under custody. This episode chronicles the August arrest of another JBER soldier on related allegations involving AI-generated child sexual abuse photos.

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