(Sidney, IA) – The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of multiple juveniles following an investigation into the manufacturing and dissemination of obscene material created using Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology.

On November 19, 2025, the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office received multiple reports from parents and school officials concerning an image being shared among students at a local Fremont County school. The image depicted multiple juveniles in a state of undress.

Through subsequent investigation, Fremont County Deputies discovered multiple digitally altered photographs on cellular devices in the possession of students at the school. Deputies confirmed that the material, which featured multiple juvenile victims, was being shared between students utilizing social media platforms. The investigation confirmed that the images were non-consensual and digitally fabricated using AI technology.

As a result of the ongoing investigation, Deputies arrested three juveniles: two aged 15 and one aged 16. All three individuals face multiple charges in connection with the creation and dissemination of the material.

Juvenile A (Age 15) and Juvenile B (Age 16) were each charged with:

• 6 counts of Harassment 1st Degree (Aggravated Misdemeanor)
• 5 counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (Class D Felony)
• 1 count of Dissemination of Obscene Material (Serious Misdemeanor)

Juvenile C (Age 15) was charged with:

• 6 counts of Harassment 1st Degree (Aggravated Misdemeanor)
• 6 counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (Class D Felony)

All juveniles have been processed and transported to and placed in the Juvenile Detention Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Formal charges have been forwarded to the Fremont County Juvenile Court for further proceedings. Due to the ages of the parties involved, no further identifying information will be released by the Sheriff’s Office.

Important Information Regarding Iowa Law and Online Safety
The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office reminds the public that the use of Artificial Intelligence to create or distribute non-consensual sexually explicit imagery—regardless of whether the depicted content is real or fabricated—is a serious criminal offense under existing Iowa law.

Iowa Code § 709.15 (Sexual Exploitation of a Minor), in conjunction with other statutes related to obscenity and harassment, is aggressively applied in cases involving the creation and dissemination of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), including material generated through digital means or AI. Creating, possessing, or sharing such images can result in felony charges with severe legal consequences, including registration as a sex offender.

The Sheriff’s Office urges parents and guardians to discuss online safety and digital citizenship with their children.

Key Safety Recommendations:

• Monitor Digital Devices: Know what apps and platforms your children are using.
• Discuss Consent and Consequences: Ensure children understand that creating or sharing non-consensual, explicit, or harassing content—even digitally altered material—is illegal and harmful.
• Report Immediately: If your child is a victim of, or witnesses, inappropriate content sharing, report it immediately to school administration and law enforcement.
• You can learn more on this topic and other ways to keep your children safe online by visiting https://ncmec.org/GAI and https://ncmec.org/netsmartz/home

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to protecting our youth and maintaining the safety and integrity of our community both online and off.