Bowling Green Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison followed by 20 Years of Supervised Release for Using AI to Create Child Sexual Abuse Material

Bowling Green, KY - A Bowling Green man was sentenced on March 9, 2026, for using artificial intelligence (AI) to produce over 1,300 images of child sexual abuse material.

U.S. Attorney Kyle G. Bumgarner of the Western District of Kentucky, Warren County Commonwealth's Attorney Kori Beck Bumgarner, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Colin W. Jackson of the Homeland Security Investigations Nashville made the announcement.

Ray Gordon, 37, was sentenced to 5 years in federal prison, followed by a 20-year term of supervised release, for one count of producing obscene visual representations of child abuse and one count of possessing obscene visual representations of child abuse.

For more than a year, Gordon used an AI image generator to create detailed and obscene images of minor children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. In many instances, the images Gordon created depicted young toddlers and preteen girls engaged in sexual activity with adults and in pain. In December 2023, Gordon was found in possession of over 1,300 unique images of child sexual abuse material that he had created.

United States Attorney Kyle Bumgarner stated, "Unfortunately, child predators are using AI to produce child sexual abuse material. It is tragic how deviants continually adapt new technology to further their twisted and evil fetishes. Our office will continue to work with law enforcement to ensure that these deviants are stopped and sent to federal prison."

Warren County Commonwealth's Attorney Kori Beck Bumgarner stated, "The Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney is pleased with the outcome in this case. Justice was served, and this offender has been held accountable for his actions. The twenty-year period of supervision will provide an important safeguard for our community, helping to protect children and ensure continued oversight. Measures like this are valuable tools that help keep our communities safe."

There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was investigated by HSI.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie M. Zimdahl prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/pscLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link.. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/pscLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. and click on the tab "resources."

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