Austin Teacher Accused of Using AI to Create Explicit Images of Students
Carl Innmon, a fifth-grade teacher at Baranoff Elementary School in Austin, Texas, is currently facing serious legal troubles after being accused of using artificial intelligence to create explicit materials from photos of his own students. This shocking revelation was made by the school's principal, Alex Hassett, in a letter sent to families on March 15.
According to Hassett, the 50-year-old Innmon was arrested last week on a first-degree felony charge of possession of child pornography, and he is now facing additional charges related to the AI-generated materials. The principal's letter highlighted the gravity of the situation, stating that the allegations stem from images created using photos taken in his classroom.
Innmon, who taught fifth grade at Baranoff Elementary, has been a part of the Austin Independent School District (AISD). Following his initial arrest, he posted a bond of $75,000 but was taken back into custody on March 14. Currently, he is being held at the Travis County jail, with a collective bond set at $30,000 for the new charges. Notably, one of the conditions of his previous bond was that he must have no contact with minors.
His next court appearance is scheduled for Thursday, April 10, as the investigation continues to unfold. Principal Hassett expressed his deep concern in the letter, stating, "I am deeply saddened to share that the latest charges stem from AI-generated materials he created using photos of students within his classroom. The Department of Public Safety (DPS) and AISD Police are working diligently to identify and inform any families involved. Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, we do not yet know the extent of students involved."
The backstory of this case is equally alarming. Court documents filed on March 13 reveal that in May 2023, DPS investigators initiated an undercover operation aimed at identifying individuals using torrent and peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing sites to distribute and receive images and videos of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). During this operation, investigators pinpointed a computer that was actively sharing CSAM, which included at least one minor child depicted in sexually explicit conduct.
From December 29, 2024, to January 15, 2025, the computer in question downloaded a staggering total of 126 files containing CSAM, including graphic images of nude children being subjected to abuse. In late February, a subpoena revealed that the computer's IP address was registered to Innmon. Following this discovery, investigators conducted surveillance on his residence and confirmed his employment at Baranoff Elementary in early March.
A search warrant was executed on March 11, during which Innmon allegedly confessed to downloading images of CSAM. Investigators seized his laptop, cell phone, and a portable hard drive, where they discovered additional CSAM files. The court documents indicate that investigators are still in the process of analyzing the seized devices to uncover more evidence.
As the investigation progresses, the Austin ISD police are collaborating with the Texas Department of Public Safety to delve deeper into the matter. Principal Hassett has urged anyone with information related to this investigation to reach out to AISD police at 512-414-1703.
For families affected by this situation, Hassett has encouraged them to seek support over Spring Break. Integral Care, which offers 24-hour mental health crisis support, can be reached at 512-472-4357. The school is also planning to implement a comprehensive support plan for its community, which will include counseling, crisis intervention, and mental health professionals after Spring Break. Additionally, the school is consulting with the Center for Child Protection, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and serving child abuse victims in Travis County.
