MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas — A man in The Woodlands is accused of using artificial intelligence to create child pornography, according to the Montgomery County Precinct 3 Constable’s Office.
Roman Shoffner, 30, is charged with possession of child pornography, Precinct 3 said. He was arrested on June 28 by their Human Trafficking Unit and was booked into the Montgomery County Jail. He posted bail and was released from custody.
Law enforcement officials said they believe this might be one of the first cases of its type in the Houston area.
Investigators said the unit began their investigation on May 15 after receiving a tip. They said they found that Shoffner used an artificial intelligence program on his cellphone to alter a picture of a 17-year-old girl by removing her clothing.
After the picture was altered, the image then depicted the teen’s face but her body was completely nude from the neck down, Pct. 3 said. Shoffner’s phone was seized and forensically analyzed.
"Found the image had been modified," Lt. Ken Washington said.
During the investigation, Pct. 3 detectives obtained enough probable cause to believe Shoffner created the picture of the teen with the intention of possessing child pornography. Investigators said an arrest warrant was then filed for Shoffner.
It's unclear where Shoffner initially got the photo of the teen or if he even knows her.
In 2023, Texas House Bill 2700 was amended to combat the use of deepfake technology and artificial intelligence, allowing individuals to create sexually explicit visual material of another person.
The amendment clarifies that the conduct constitutes certain criminal offenses involving sexually explicit visual material of a child younger than 18 years of age.