A 52-year-old man faces 43 charges after allegedly using artificial intelligence to create explicit posters of eight women and displaying them in public spaces in Queensland's Lockyer Valley region.
Queensland Police were alerted to the posters, found in multiple locations starting May 26, including one in Gatton. The images reportedly superimposed the victims' faces onto explicit content, and included their full names, social media usernames, and employment details, along with false claims of them being sex workers, according to police allegations.
The investigation, which began after reports of posters dating back to February 2021, led officers to search a home in Cleveland. During the search, detectives seized electronic devices, printers, and several AI-generated posters. Arrest footage released by police shows officers removing firearms, lightsabers, a baseball bat, an electronic control weapon, and ammunition from the residence. Electronics, including a television and video game controllers, were also removed from a chest of drawers.
The man has been charged with 27 counts of distributing intimate images, six counts of unlawful stalking, four counts of unlawful firearm possession, and four counts of using a postal service to menace, harass, or cause offense. He also faces one count each of using a carriage service to menace, harass, or cause offense and authority to possess explosives.
He has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on August 19. Police have identified eight alleged victims and stated that the investigation is ongoing.
Ipswich Detective Acting Inspector Tim Martin commented on the case, emphasizing that no one should endure such offenses. "The victims in this matter were subjected to deeply distressing and highly personal attacks through the creation and public display of AI-generated intimate images," Martin said. He added that while AI is an emerging technology, its use for creating and distributing abusive material is subject to police investigation and prosecution. He urged the public not to share such material if encountered, but instead to report it to the police to prevent further harm.
Authorities encourage anyone with information related to this investigation to come forward to the police or report anonymously through Crimestoppers.