The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office is currently examining a disturbing new facet of child exploitation that involves Artificial Intelligence. An investigation has been launched into AI-generated images of a student from Corbett High School, which are potentially classified as Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). As per a statement posted on the MCSO’s website, the school administration discovered the material and promptly reported it to authorities last Saturday.
According to MCSO Detective Sgt. Brad Robertson, the team is striving to gather evidence to create a strong case. "Incidents like this, although rare, are deeply personal and upsetting for families," he said, expressing concern over the potential trauma caused to those involved in the MCSO report. While the specifics of the images and the extent of their distribution remain unclear, the offensive content was allegedly circulated on social media before being deleted.
Due to legal constraints protecting minors, the MCSO has disclosed minimal details about the ongoing investigation. Detectives are engaged in a delicate process, thoroughly examining the available evidence to consider filing criminal charges. Alongside the investigation, MCSO will be coordinating with the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office to ensure that all legal avenues are pursued based on the evidence compiled thus far.
The legal landscape regarding digital exploitation is set to change with the upcoming Oregon House Bill 2299, which targets the distribution of intimate images created or altered by digital or AI technologies. The bill, passed in the 2025 Regular Session, will take effect from January 1, 2026, broadening the definition of illegal dissemination of intimate images to encompass those generated by AI, as reported by MCSO in their official statement.
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