BAYTOWN, Texas – A Baytown man is accused of using artificial intelligence to create sexually explicit images depicting a minor, according to a criminal complaint.
Rigoberto Silva Ruiz, 30, is charged with unlawful production or distribution of certain sexually explicit media, court records show.
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According to the complaint, investigators allege Ruiz created computer-generated images that appeared to show a juvenile female engaged in sexual conduct, including images depicting intimate body parts.
Ruiz’s girlfriend told police she found the images on Ruiz’s phone and reported them to authorities.
The complaint states the images were created using screenshots from the victim’s Instagram account, who is a mutual friend of Ruiz’s girlfriend, the report says.
Ruiz is accused of using AI to create a person who appears to be a child. He then reportedly created sexually explicit videos.
Investigators said the images also involved an adult complainant, who told police she did not give consent for her image to be used. She also did not know who the child in the content is.
Ruiz’s Connection to Students
Records show Ruiz is connected to both Lee College and Goose Creek CISD as a staff member.
Ruiz is listed as the head debate coach of Lee College, according to documents reviewed by KPRC 2. In that position, he had contact with Goose Creek ISD high school students who were enrolled at IMPACT Early College High School.
Lee College confirmed Ruiz is an employee and has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
“The college is cooperating with the Baytown Police Department investigation of an employee who has been arrested and charged with a misdemeanor,” the college said in a statement. “They have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.”
The college said it is conducting an internal review in accordance with its policies and applicable laws, including Title IX.
A spokesperson for Goose Creek ISD says Ruiz was never employed by the district.
“If any Goose Creek CISD students are identified during the ongoing investigations, the District will follow up with families in consultation with the investigating agencies. As always, the safety and wellbeing of our students remain our top priority, and Goose Creek CISD stands ready to support Lee College, Baytown Police Department, and our families as this investigation proceeds. Any student, staff member, or community member with information about this investigation should report information directly to the Baytown Police Department,” a Goose Creek ISD spokesperson wrote to KPRC 2.
Ruiz’s attorney declined to discuss details of the case.
“We look forward to our day in court and presenting our case,” attorney Nathaniel Pitoniak said in a written response.
Texas & Federal Law Protects Against AI Porn
Texas law now makes it clear: you cannot create or share AI-generated sexually explicit images of someone without their consent.
A law passed in 2023 and expanded in 2025 bans the production or distribution of “deepfake” porn that appears to show a real person engaging in sexual activity they did not actually participate in.
It also criminalizes threats to create or share that material for harassment, coercion or extortion.
Cases can be charged as misdemeanors or elevated to felonies, particularly if the victim is under 18, and courts can order restitution for victims.
At the federal level, protections are stronger when minors are involved, with existing laws banning sexually explicit images of children, including realistic computer-generated content. For adults, there is no single comprehensive federal law, leaving victims to rely on a mix of state laws and civil action.
That gap has led to proposed legislation like the TAKE IT DOWN Act, backed in part by Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, which would require platforms to remove nonconsensual intimate images, including AI-generated content, after a victim reports them.
How To Prevent Being A Victim
There is no one-stop way to avoid becoming a victim of someone using generative AI to alter an image of you.
Even if you lock down social media accounts, if someone snaps a photo of you walking down the street, they can use AI to manipulate that photo.
Here’s the best things you can do to reduce the risk of a bad actor using AI to create inappropriate images of you:
- Audit your social media — Profile photos, tagged photos, public albums are all source material.
- Tighten privacy settings on all platforms — Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, etc.
- Be selective about what you post — full-face, high-resolution photos are most vulnerable
- Reverse image search yourself periodically (Google Images, TinEye)
What Can I Do If I’m A Victim?
- Document everything first — screenshot, record URLs before reporting
- Report to the platform — most major platforms now have non-consensual intimate image (NCII) policies
- Use StopNCII.org — creates a digital fingerprint of the image to prevent re-upload across partner platforms (without you having to share the image itself)
- Contact the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative — cybercivilrights.org — free crisis helpline
- File a police report — especially now that many states have criminal statutes
- Contact an attorney — some take these cases on contingency