ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Judge Matthew Chavez decided to keep Richard Gallagher in custody as he awaits trial on charges of sexual exploitation of children.
Gallagher, an Albuquerque Air Force veteran, is accused of downloading Facebook photos of children, including four he knew personally, and using artificial intelligence to alter them into sexually explicit images.
He faces 12 counts of felony sexual exploitation of children, including two second-degree felonies for manufacturing child sexual abuse material.
“These AI generated images include instances where Mr. Gallagher would take images of real children from websites such as Facebook,” said the prosecution. “He would then take screenshots of these images and modify them using different apps.”
“Mr. Gallagher would nudify these children, making them naked, place them in lingerie, add genitalia and place them in sexually explicit situations,” said the source.
State Rep. Christine Chandler plans to introduce House Bill 28 to regulate AI. The New Mexico Department of Justice, which helped detain Gallagher, announced collaboration with state lawmaker Linda Serrato on the AI Accountability Act.
The bill aims to protect residents from deepfake harm through tracking tools and enforcement, allowing victims to collect damages.
“That’s a steep and heavy price to pay, but I think it is in line with the type of harm and the necessary deterrent for making sure that this activity is not in any way allowed,” said Raul Torrez, New Mexico Attorney General.
If convicted, Gallagher could face nearly 50 years in prison and would be required to register as a sex offender for life.
