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Two Western Pennsylvania Men Charged in Cases Involving AI-Generated Child Abuse Images

Prosecutors are enforcing a December 2024 state law that has produced six cases involving artificially created child sexual abuse material.

Overview

  • Kenneth C. Klink, 62, of Beaver Falls, faces 66 felony counts for possessing files that authorities say he altered with artificial intelligence to depict himself abusing children.
  • Joshua J. Crockett, 43, of Vestaburg, is charged with 33 felonies for possession and distribution, including one count tied to an artificially generated file.
  • Both defendants were arraigned, with bail set at $500,000 for Klink and $750,000 for Crockett.
  • The Attorney General’s Office says tips prompted search warrants that led investigators to seize devices containing the alleged files.
  • Attorney General Dave Sunday said agents conducted proactive investigations, and his office reports six people have been charged under the AI-specific statute since it took effect.