A 31-year-old Carrizo Springs man is facing state charges after investigators say he used artificial intelligence to generate hundreds of sexualized images of South Texas children. Authorities report that more than 900 AI-created images and videos were recovered, roughly 30 child victims have been identified so far, and the suspect, identified by law enforcement as Adan Covarrubias, was booked into the Dimmit County Jail on May 19 on felony possession allegations.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety, DPS Criminal Investigations Division agents worked with the FBI and the Dimmit County Sheriff’s Office and obtained consent to search a Carrizo Springs residence in April. Investigators say they found more than 900 files that included AI-generated pornographic images and videos, along with additional non-AI child sexual material, on devices seized during the search.
New Law Widened Prosecutors' Reach
The charge filed in this case comes in the wake of the 2025 passage of Senate Bill 20, which expanded state law to cover computer and AI-generated visual material that appears to depict minors. The Dallas Morning News reported that the statute created new offenses and adjusted penalties to give prosecutors more tools for cases involving AI-made imagery.
What Investigators Say They Found
In a DPS press release, officials said FBI Del Rio agents and partner agencies conducted a forensic review that identified files depicting both prepubescent and pubescent children and that investigators have identified about 30 victims so far. The release quotes the FBI San Antonio Field Office special agent in charge as saying, "Protecting children, our most vulnerable population, is a shared priority among all of us in law enforcement and our community partners," and notes that victim services are being coordinated by the FBI. Texas Department of Public Safety has additional details.
A Growing Pattern
Prosecutors and reporters say AI-enabled deepfakes and manipulated photos have surfaced in several recent investigations, and both federal and state authorities are increasingly relying on updated laws to go after offenders. National reporting by The Washington Post, along with earlier local coverage such as Hoodline's report on AI-altered student images, highlight how investigators are confronting digitally altered child exploitation material.
Reporting And Resources
Officials reminded the public that tips about suspicious activity can be submitted through the state's portal and that suspected online child sexual exploitation should be reported through the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's CyberTipline. DPS directs people to iWatchTexas for local tips and to the NCMEC CyberTipline at report.cybertip.org for online reports, and says it will continue working with local and federal partners as the case moves forward.
The Dimmit County arrest underscores how quickly off‑the‑shelf AI tools can be misused and how new statutes and interagency teams are reshaping investigations. Prosecutors are expected to pursue state charges as authorities complete their review, and upcoming court filings are expected to show the next steps in the case.
