Man arrested for using artificial intelligence to alter Montgomery County teenager’s photo

HOUSTON – Authorities in Montgomery County have put a man behind bars for allegedly using artificial intelligence to alter a photo of a young girl.

According to the Montgomery County 3rd District Sheriff’s Office, 30-year-old Roman Shoffner was investigated back in May after authorities discovered he had used an AI program on his phone to alter an image of a 17-year-old girl “by removing her clothing.”

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After the photo was altered, the 17-year-old’s face was visible, but he was completely naked, investigators said. Shoffner’s phone was forensically seized by Third District detectives and there was enough probable cause to charge him with possession of child pornography and an arrest warrant was issued.

Shoffner was arrested on June 28 and booked into the Montgomery County Jail.