An Anson ISD janitor has been indicted on federal charges after allegedly using AI technology to create child pornography with the faces of students, according to the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Leigha Simonton. A Statement from the Justice Department indicates that Daril Martin Gonzales, 55, is facing one count of possession and attempted possession of child pornography and one count of possession and attempted possession of obscene visual representation of a child after being indicted yesterday.
The charges came to light following Gonzales' arraignment before Magistrate Judge John R. Parker. On Tuesday, prosecutors disclosed during a detention hearing that Gonzales, in his capacity as a janitor, also worked as a photographer for school sporting events and cheerleading, taking pictures of middle and high school students at no charge. The indictment alleges that he misused these images, superimposing the children's faces onto adult bodies in explicit content without their consent, using artificial intelligence. The Justice Department reported that at the detention hearing, police evidence included Gonzales' admission of a "power trip" and insights into his extensive consumption of child pornography.
Victims of Gonzales' alleged actions have expressed their horror upon learning of the use of their likenesses. "I feel gross, I know it’s not me, but it makes me feel gross and violated and disrespected," one victim said according to the Justice Department. Similar sentiments of disgust and fear about being misrepresented in such a vile manner were echoed by other victims, highlighting the sense of violation they're grappling with despite not having committed any wrongdoing themselves.
The investigation, as outlined by the Justice Department, is a collaborative effort between Homeland Security Investigations' Dallas Field Division – Abilene Resident Agency, Abilene Police Department, Texas Rangers, and the Anson Police Department. If convicted of the charges, Gonzales could be looking at up to 20 years in federal prison, followed by potential lifetime supervised release.
