A U.S. Air Force Airman from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska has been charged with distributing and possessing child sexual abuse materials (CSAM). The indictment follows an investigation that began in August 2024 when Caleb French, 27, was reported to the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) for allegedly expressing intentions to commit sexual assaults against minors.
According to court documents, AFOSI executed a search warrant at French's residence, uncovering multiple digital devices containing over a thousand images and videos depicting child sexual abuse. It is also alleged that French sent a link to a video depicting CSAM to the individual who reported him.
Further allegations suggest that French took photos and videos of children in public with the intent to use them for creating artificial intelligence-generated CSAM. He faces charges of one count each for distribution and possession of child pornography.
French appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Matthew M. Scoble in Anchorage today. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker for the District of Alaska and Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Day of the FBI Anchorage Field Office.
The case is being investigated by the FBI Anchorage Field Office, Anchorage Police Department, and AFOSI as part of the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mac Caille Petursson is leading the prosecution.
Anyone with information about French’s alleged actions is encouraged to contact the FBI Anchorage Field Office or submit tips anonymously online.
It should be noted that an indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.