Office of the United States Attorney District of Rhode Island. (WJAR)
(WJAR) —The Rhode Island U.S. Attorney’s Office said a former instructor at a gymnastics and dance facilities was arrested after allegedly filming a minor and creating artificial intelligence-generated child sexual abuse material.
According to officials, 38-year-old Joseph Mello was arrested and charged with attempted production of child pornography, receipt of child pornography, possession of and access with intent to view child pornography, and production of obscene visual representations of the sexual abuse of children.
Mello was previously an instructor and participant at various gymnastics, dance and cheerleading facilities in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts, authorities said.
Federal prosecutors said Mello is accused of attempting to create child sexual abuse material by filming a child in a bathroom and changing area at a dance studio where he took classes.
Officials said he took photos of multiple children at the facilities where he worked and used those photos to create AI-generated images and videos depicting child sexual abuse.
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Investigators allege that he also possessed other child sexual abuse materials.
Mello was arraigned on Monday and was temporarily held pending a detention hearing, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. He is scheduled for that hearing this Thursday.
“This case is a disturbing reminder that rapidly evolving technology can be weaponized to exploit children. As alleged, the defendant used artificial intelligence and other digital tools to create sexually explicit depictions of real children. While the technology may be new, the harm is not,” First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles C. Calenda said. “Behind every image is a child victim whose safety, privacy, and dignity have been violated. Our Office, together with our law enforcement partners, is committed to protecting children, identifying victims, and holding accountable those who use any technology to facilitate child exploitation.”
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