Man Sentenced to Two Years for Creating Child Sexual Abuse Images Using AI Technology
A Texas man has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for using an artificial intelligence (AI) application to create obscene visual depictions of minors. The case, prosecuted in Florida, highlights the evolving legal landscape in which AI-generated content is being treated with the same gravity as real-world exploitation in the fight against child sexual abuse.
Daniel Weatherly, 42, of Brownwood, Texas, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber to two years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. As part of his sentence, he is also prohibited from having any contact with minors. Weatherly pleaded guilty on January 8, 2025.
According to court documents, Weatherly utilized a cell phone application that allowed users to generate high-quality images from text prompts. Weatherly exploited this technology to create explicit images of minors, specifically using prompts that described children between the ages of five and eight engaged in various sexual acts…