By Travers Mackel
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LAFOURCHE PARISH, Louisiana (WDSU) — A Lafourche middle schooler has been arrested and is facing charge after an investigation involving explicit photos of other students created by AI.
Detectives opened an investigation in conjunction with the school after male students had allegedly shared fake nude photos of a female student on a school bus and at school.
This led to an altercation on a bus involving one of the male students and one of the female students, according to the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office.
One of the boys is facing ten counts of unlawful dissemination of images created by AI.
Now, one state lawmaker says he’s going to take action.
Last week, Thibodaux-based attorney Matthew Ory made it clear to members of the Lafourche Parish School Board that he was upset.
“Ladies and gentlemen, what’s going on here is nothing more than disgusting.”
He represents a middle school girl from Sixth Ward Middle School who he claims was the victim of cyberbullying.
Ory claims another student, also in middle school, used artificial intelligence to superimpose his client’s head onto a naked body and then showed it to others.
“So here’s what we know, we have a kid — who undoubtedly had a picture — were taken, manipulated and manufactured and child pornography, at that school,” said Ory.
Ory said the girl reported the incident to the school immediately.
“She asked for help, she was denied, she then asked to talk to her father because she was being made fun of, she was denied,” said Ory.
Ory then said the school put the girl on a school bus with the person who made the images.
Upset, he says she hit the boy.
That led to the girl being expelled.
Ory says actions by the girl were reviewed by the Lafourche Parish District Attorney.
“They will not, they have adamantly said they will never charge that little girl with battery,” said Ory.
School system leaders did address the matter at last week’s hearing.
“There were many members of her staff who were aware of the allegations,” said Jarod Martin.
Martin is the superintendent of schools in Lafourche Parish.
“There were at least, I’m afraid to put a number to it, a half dozen students circulating these photos between themselves on the back of that bus. Unfortunately, this despicable behavior had become pervasive that day among many students, and her staff was trying to arrive at the origin, how it got to be and where it went from there,” said Martin.
The sheriff’s office confirms it is now investigating the matter, and one state lawmaker says he will also take action.
“The current law as it pertains to disseminating artificial intelligence is a misdemeanor crime, and my intention is to change that crime and make it a felony,” said State Rep. Bryan Fontenot.
Fontenot, a Republican from Thibodaux, says AI deepfakes have to be regulated.
“I’ve been in communication with her father, and my intention is to create this piece of legislation and name the legislation after the victim of this crime,” said Fontenot.
The Lafourche Parish School Board did send us this statement, which reads:
“The Lafourche Parish School Board is dedicated to a mission centered on providing a safe, healthy, and nurturing learning environment for all students, and this mission is reflected in values that prioritize the well-being and success of every child.
“Our commitment to student safety and our commitment to the consistent application of consequences are the bedrock and foundation upon which every decision is made. We understand the public’s interest in this matter; however, federal law, specifically the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), strictly prohibits us from releasing or discussing any specific student’s disciplinary records. We can assure you that all violations of our student code of conduct, including acts of violence and distribution of pornographic material, are immediately and thoroughly investigated and are met with adequate, swift and consistent consequences. This case was brought to law enforcement immediately and continues to be an ongoing investigation by the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office. We deeply value their commitment to aid our ability to address unwanted and criminal behavior.
“Unfortunately, in this case, there is a tremendous amount of misinformation and omissions of fact that present a one-sided story that fails to illustrate the totality and complex nature of this particular incident and the district’s response. We have never and will never steer from our mission of ensuring a safe and healthy learning environment for all students.”
WDSU reached out to the Lafourche Parish District Attorney’s Office for a statement and received the following response:
“Louisiana law provides that juvenile proceedings are confidential. It is also our long-standing policy to protect the privacy and interests of minors involved in the justice system. For that reason, we are unable to provide information regarding whether any juvenile action has been taken in this matter.”
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