A teenager in Calgary is facing multiple criminal charges for allegedly using AI technology to manipulate images of teenage girls from various local high schools in a sexual manner. The child exploitation unit of the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) executed a search warrant at the teenager’s residence on Nov. 13, seizing two cellphones, a tablet, and a laptop as part of the investigation initiated in October following a tip received by ICE regarding the dissemination of child sexual abuse materials on social media.
The accused teenager is accused of using AI to exploit teenage girls attending different high schools in the Calgary area. To safeguard the victims’ identities, law enforcement authorities have refrained from disclosing the identity of the accused individual or the schools involved, with support services being extended to the victims. Authorities urge the public to report any such images encountered online and refrain from sharing them further.
The 17-year-old is facing charges for creating, possessing, and distributing child sexual abuse and exploitation materials, in addition to criminal harassment. According to ALERT ICE Staff Sgt. Mark Auger, child sexual abuse and exploitation material under the Criminal Code encompasses images or videos depicting individuals under 18 engaged in explicit sexual activities, as the term “child pornography” has been replaced with “child sexual abuse and exploitation material” as of October 10 in Canada.
Sgt. Auger could not confirm whether there was a connection between the accused and the targeted girls or if the victims were chosen randomly. He emphasized the seriousness of such actions, noting that they constitute the most extreme form of bullying and a criminal offense, urging the public to recognize the gravity of these incidents. The prevalence of such incidents is on the rise due to advancements in technology and its increased accessibility.
The accused teenager has been released under court-ordered conditions, including restrictions on contact with individuals under 16 years old unless incidental through work or school and limitations on internet-capable electronic devices. The next court appearance for the teenager is scheduled for Jan. 8, 2026.