(Hernando County, FL) Last week, 35-year-old Aaron David Randall was sentenced for his 2024 arrest related to the possession and distribution of sexually explicit artificial intelligence-generated material involving children and animals. Randall was sentenced to eight years in the Florida Department of Corrections, followed by three years of probation with sexual offender conditions.
Randall was convicted of the following crimes-
- Two Counts of Film/Distribute/Possess Any Pornographic Image/Video of Person & Animal Engaged in Prohibited Acts
- Fraudulent Use of Personal Identification Information
- Organized Fraud – less than 20,000
- Possession of Methamphetamine
- Eight Counts of Possession of Generated Child Pornography
“This defendant used technology to facilitate the exploitation of children and the creation and distribution of horrific material,” said Chief Assistant State Attorney Walter Forgie. “The fact that artificial intelligence was used to create this material makes it that much more alarming. Our office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who use technology to exploit children and profit from this type of criminal activity.”
The investigation into the defendant began after officials with the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office received a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children concerning a user’s activity.
After reviewing the cyber tip, investigators determined an account user was chatting with other online individuals and offering various videos and photos in exchange for money. During some of the conversations, the files were sent to different users upon payment. Detectives were then able to determine the account belonged to the defendant.
Law enforcement obtained an address for Randall and executed a search warrant at the home. The defendant was detained and questioned regarding the investigation. Randall at first denied his involvement, but then later stated he used artificial intelligence to create sexually explicit images involving children and animals so he could “scam pedophiles” into paying him money. However, the explicit content of the chats the defendant engaged in showed he was actively participating in the collecting and sharing of the illicit content.
The investigation further uncovered additional criminal conduct, including the use of another person’s identifying information in connection with financial accounts used during the online transactions and the possession of methamphetamine upon executing the search warrant at the defendant’s residence.
The State Attorney’s Office commends the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office for their work in this case, especially that of Detective Evan Weston, as well as Assistant State Attorney Angelina Rodeo for her diligent prosecutorial work.
Published on 09/28/2026.