HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced charges on Monday against a York County resident in a case that marks the first use of a new state law targeting artificially-generated child sexual abuse material.
Luke A. Teipel, 22, of Dallastown, faces 33 felony counts of possession of child sexual abuse material, including files alleged to have been artificially generated using advanced technology. He is also charged with one felony count of criminal use of a communication facility.
Attorney General Sunday provided additional context, stating, “This proactive investigation uncovered a defendant weaponizing modern technology to victimize and harm children. Due to the bipartisan leadership of Senators Tracy Pennycuik and Lisa Boscola, 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.”
The charges stem from an investigation by the Office of Attorney General in which agents reportedly traced numerous files of suspected illegal content to a device owned by Teipel. During a search of his residence, a cell phone discovered in the kitchen was found to contain 29 files of alleged artificially-generated child sexual abuse material. Investigators also seized additional devices, including a laptop, which allegedly contained non-artificial child sexual abuse material.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to determine the origins of the materials and the methods used to create them.
The charges highlight the application of ACT 125, a law enacted in 2024 to address the proliferation of illicit materials created via artificial intelligence. Under the act, it is illegal to use AI technology to generate realistic depictions of children under the age of 18 engaged in acts of abuse that never occurred in reality.
State Senator Tracy Pennycuick, a lead sponsor of the legislation and Chair of the Senate Communications and Technology Committee, praised the efforts of the Attorney General’s office. “I’m pleased to see this law being successfully utilized to bring those who would harm children to justice,” said Sen. Pennycuick. “The law now makes it illegal to share intimate images of children and adults without consent, addressing the misuse of AI technology. I applaud AG Sunday for combating ‘deepfake’ images of minors and prosecuting individuals who commit these heinous crimes.”
Agents involved in the investigation have not yet disclosed how the alleged artificial materials were produced or obtained. Senior Deputy Attorney General Janie Swinehart has been assigned to prosecute the case as the legal proceedings move forward. Teipel, who has been arraigned, is free on $25,000 unsecured bail, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 24.
This groundbreaking case demonstrates the state’s readiness to confront crimes tied to the misuse of emerging technologies, with officials vowing to employ the full reach of the law to protect vulnerable populations. Investigators continue to work diligently to uncover all aspects of the case and uphold justice.
Criminal charges are considered allegations until proven otherwise. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are found guilty in a court of law.
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