TAMPA, Fla. — A Florida man has plead guilty to multiple counts of production, possession, and distribution of tens of thousands of images and videos, including using generative artificial intelligence (AI) to create depictions of the sexual abuse of children following an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tampa.
Justin Ryan Culmo, 40, of Oldsmar, has pleaded guilty to three counts of production of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), one count of distribution of child sexual abuse material, one count of possession of child sexual abuse material, and one count of production of child sexual abuse material that is an adapted or modified depiction of a minor. Culmo faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to court documents, Culmo produced child sexual abuse imagery involving children as young as infants and toddlers and produced thousands of images of CSAM using generative AI. Culmo possessed approximately 85,00 images of CSAM, 845 videos of child sexual abuse material, and 8,500 AI-generated images of child sexual abuses.
This case was investigated by HSI Tampa. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Abigail K. King.
HSI Tampa’s area of responsibility, which includes 10 geographically strategic offices, covers more than 51,600 square miles of the total 65,757 square miles in the state of Florida. This region has more than 14.2 million people and includes 58 of the 67 counties. HSI Tampa also includes five of the 10 largest cities in Florida, 15 primary commercial service airports, and 11 seaports.
Learn more about HSI Tampa’s mission to increase public safety in Florida communities on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @HSITampa.
To report any information about human trafficking, child sexual abuse, or the trafficking in child sexual abuse material contact the HSI Tip Line at 877-4-HSI-TIP or report it through the CyberTipline on the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's website.