BAYTOWN, Texas (KTRK) — A Baytown college debate coach is facing criminal charges after authorities say he created sexually explicit AI-generated deepfake videos using images of acquaintances.
Rigoberto “Rigo” Ruiz, a longtime debate coach at Lee University, was charged with illegally producing sexually explicit media. The case could be an early test of Texas law addressing AI-generated content.
According to court records, Lewis’ then-girlfriend discovered the alleged deepfake video while searching his cell phone and called police. Investigators said the video was created using a photo of a woman known to both Lewis and his girlfriend.
Authorities allege Lewis used artificial intelligence to generate videos depicting the accuser in sexual scenarios that never actually occurred. Court documents say the video was created “for the purpose of deceptively depicting a real person performing an act that does not occur in real life.”
Lee University confirmed that Lewis is currently on leave of absence. Mr. Lewis did not respond to requests for comment.
Legal experts said cases like this highlight how rapidly advancing technology can come into conflict with existing laws. Neil Davis, a defense attorney who reviewed court documents, said the charges are unusual and reflect how states are adapting to new AI-related crimes.
“This was found on his cell phone and the defendant allegedly confessed to it,” Davis said. “When we contacted the complainant, she said she did not agree to this.”
Davis said he has worked on many cases involving explicit material, and those cases usually involve real people and real recordings. Laws targeting AI-generated deepfakes are relatively new, especially in Texas.
“This is an unusual charge and an unusual law,” Davis said. “These laws are trying to catch up with technology and take someone’s likeness and show them sex acts and nudity and criminalize that. That’s what this law is trying to do.”
Reached by phone, Lewis’ attorney declined to comment. A court hearing in the case is scheduled for later this week.
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