Kelly Lee Setzer, a 64-year-old man from Hickory, was sentenced to 50 years in prison for producing and transporting child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The sentencing followed a search warrant executed at Setzer’s residence, where officers found videos depicting the sexual abuse of a prepubescent child. The investigation also revealed Setzer possessed an extensive CSAM library with over 48,000 videos and images, along with an online relationship involving a minor. Setzer pleaded guilty to multiple counts related to the production, transportation, and possession of child pornography and was ordered to pay restitution, serve lifetime supervised release, and register as a sex offender.
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Moms for Liberty, a group that champions parental rights and often criticizes what they perceive as liberal excesses in education, recently honored a Republican representative. This representative was subsequently arrested on charges related to child sexual abuse material. This jarring juxtaposition highlights a significant disconnect between the group’s stated values and the actions of one of its celebrated members.
The arrest underscores a disturbing trend: the alleged involvement of individuals within conservative circles in acts of child exploitation. The sheer volume of cases involving individuals identifying with the Republican party and engaging in such horrific acts raises serious questions. It compels us to consider the underlying cultural forces that might contribute to this alarming pattern.… Continue reading
Dazhon Darien received a four-month jail sentence after pleading Alford to disrupting school operations; this follows his creation and dissemination of an AI-generated deepfake audio recording falsely portraying Pikesville High School principal Eric Eiswert as racist and antisemitic. The deepfake, created after Darien’s contract was not renewed due to financial improprieties, caused significant distress and prompted police intervention. This case highlights the emerging threat of AI-generated disinformation for personal gain, prompting calls for stronger legislation. Darien faces further charges related to child sexual abuse material.
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Jan. 6 rioters are arguing that presidential pardons extend to charges far beyond their involvement in the Capitol riot, even encompassing serious crimes like plotting murder and possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). This claim is raising significant outrage and questions about the scope of presidential pardons and the potential implications for public safety.
The core of the argument hinges on the wording of the pardons themselves. While the pardons explicitly mention actions related to the January 6th events, the rioters contend that the broad language used implies a blanket pardon for all federal crimes, regardless of their connection to the riot.… Continue reading
Matthew Inman, 39, Orange County Democratic Party Treasurer and Rainbow Democrats president, has been arrested and charged with transportation of child sex abuse material. Authorities allege Inman possessed CSAM videos on his phone and attempted to delete them upon FBI arrival with a warrant. He allegedly engaged in online conversations expressing interest in sexually assaulting a fictional 9-year-old boy. If convicted, Inman faces five to twenty years in federal prison, and both the Orange County Democratic Party and the Rainbow Democrats have suspended him.
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A whistleblower complaint filed with FinCEN alleges that Mastercard and Visa knowingly facilitated money laundering related to child sexual abuse material and sex trafficking on OnlyFans. The complaint, submitted by a senior financial compliance expert, claims the payment processors ignored evidence of illicit activity despite prior warnings. While both Mastercard and Visa deny the allegations and assert zero-tolerance policies, the complaint also notes prior attempts to alert the companies in 2021 and 2022. OnlyFans, which previously attempted to curb explicit content before reversing that decision, has yet to comment.
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Criminals are increasingly leveraging AI’s accessibility for malicious purposes, including sophisticated fraud schemes like deepfake heists costing millions. A significant portion of this criminal AI activity involves the creation and distribution of child sexual abuse material, numbering in the thousands of images. Furthermore, AI facilitates sextortion and enhances hacking capabilities by identifying software vulnerabilities. Law enforcement agencies must urgently adapt to these evolving threats to prevent a dramatic rise in AI-enabled crime in the coming years.
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