Former School Employee Charged with Using AI to Produce Explicit Images of Children in his Care

A former Employee of Independent School District number 622 in North Saint Paul, Maplewood, Oakdale and of ISD number 834 in Stillwater, has been charged with receipt and possession of child pornography as well as production of an obscene visual representation of child sexual abuse after allegedly using AI technology to produce the images of children that were in his care. 

According to Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick, William Michael Haslach (30) occupied several positions of trust with children including serving as lunch monitor and traffic guard. He also served as a paraprofessional and as a youth summer programs assistant. 

Haslach is accused of using his access to children to take non-explicit photos, then using artificial intelligence, producing photos of those minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. As detailed in the indictment, Haslach also possessed and received child pornography involving children that were abused by others.  

The federal indictment charges Haslach with five counts of receipt of child pornography, five counts of possession of child pornography, and one count of production of an obscene visual representation of child sexual abuse. 

Haslach made his initial appearance Wednesday in U.S. District Court before Judge Tony N. Leung.  He was ordered to remain in custody pending a formal detention hearing on Monday.