Lee College debate coach Rigoberto "Rigo" Ruiz has been charged after his then-girlfriend allegedly found an explicit AI-generated deepfake on his phone. According to court filings, the clip showed a woman known to the couple engaged in sexual activity with a juvenile and was created to convince viewers that a real encounter had taken place. Lee College has placed Ruiz on administrative leave while Harris County authorities continue their investigation.
What prosecutors allege
Harris County court records state that Ruiz is charged with unlawful production of sexually explicit media after the video was discovered on his phone, according to Houston Chronicle. The filings describe the clip as constructed from photos of the woman and say it was made "with the intent to deceive and depict a real person performing an act that did not occur in reality." Those documents form the basis for the misdemeanor count and potential felony allegations in the county case.
College response and expert reaction
Lee College confirmed to local media that Ruiz has been placed on leave while the case is reviewed and declined to elaborate further, as reported by ABC13. Legal observers told the station the case highlights how quickly courts are being asked to apply freshly updated laws to AI-related harms. A defense attorney who examined the filings called the charge unusual and suggested it could become an early test of how prosecutors rely on the new statutory language.
How Texas law treats deepfakes
Texas lawmakers recently expanded the statute that once focused on nonconsensual explicit videos so that it now covers "sexually explicit media" that is generated or altered with AI, while also adding civil remedies and restitution for victims, according to the Texas Legislature's bill analysis for S.B. 441. Penalties increase if the material depicts someone younger than 18, and the law creates a route for victims to seek removal of the content and financial damages. That change is central to why prosecutors are now bringing cases tied specifically to AI-generated intimate media.
Next steps in the case
Ruiz's attorney, Nathaniel Pitoniak, said "we look forward to presenting our case in court," a statement included in the filings and cited by Houston Chronicle. The Harris County filing starts a criminal process that could involve preliminary hearings and a decision on whether prosecutors will pursue enhanced charges. As the case moves forward, both sides are expected to focus heavily on the new statutory definitions and on the evidence surrounding how the file was created and whether it was shared.
About Ruiz and the program
Ruiz is listed on Lee College's organizational chart as the head debate coach and a manager in grants performance and compliance, a dual role that ties him closely to the college's competitive speech program, according to the college website. That profile helps explain why the case has drawn local attention as it winds through county courts. The matter remains under investigation, and officials have not released additional filings beyond the initial charge.
