Attorney General Dave Sunday of Pennsylvania has announced charges against a man from York County involving possession of over two dozen files containing artificially-generated child sexual abuse material. This marks the first time such a charge has been filed by the Office of Attorney General following the enactment of a new law in 2024.
The accused, Luke A. Teipel, aged 22, from Dallastown, faces 33 felony counts related to the possession of child sexual abuse material, including AI-generated images, along with one count of criminal use of a communication facility. Teipel was recently arraigned, with bail set at $25,000 unsecured, and a preliminary hearing is set for April 24.
“This proactive investigation uncovered a defendant weaponizing modern technology to victimize and harm children,” remarked Attorney General Sunday. He credited Senators Tracy Pennycuik and Lisa Boscola for their bipartisan leadership, stating, "We now have a law on the books that enables the filing of serious felony charges in AI cases that we previously could not prosecute. These charges are just a first step in using this new law to protect our communities and our children."
Senator Tracy Pennycuick expressed satisfaction with the law being effectively utilized, stating, "As sponsor of this legislation and Chair of the Senate Communications and Technology Committee, I’m pleased to see this law being successfully utilized by the Attorney General’s office to bring those who would harm children to justice." The law she referred to criminalizes the sharing of intimate images of children and adults without consent and prohibits the use of AI to generate child sexual abuse material.
During the investigation, several files of suspected child sexual abuse material were traced back to a device owned by Teipel. Agents recovered a phone in Teipel’s home kitchen containing 29 files of alleged artificially-generated material. Non-artificial images found on the phone and a laptop at the residence have also led to further charges.
The ongoing investigation seeks to uncover how these materials were created. Last year, the Attorney General’s office contributed to ACT 125, updating laws to outlaw the use of AI technology to fabricate materials resembling minors engaging in sexually abusive acts.
Senior Deputy Attorney General Janie Swinehart will lead the prosecution in this case. It's important to note that criminal charges are merely allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.