Photographer Charged with Creating Deepfake Child Porn in Arkansas

Russell Bloodworth III, a Bentonville photographer, has been charged with over 200 counts related to child sexual abuse material, including the unlawful creation of deepfake images using AI. The investigation began after a cyber tip on June 8, 2026, which linked Bloodworth to the generation of explicit images of his juvenile clients. Police discovered over 1,700 images and videos on his phone, with many appearing to be altered using Grok AI. Bloodworth has pleaded not guilty and is currently free on bond but under strict conditions. The case has raised concerns about the exploitation of children and the implications of AI in creating such materials. Families of potential victims are reaching out to law enforcement to determine if their children were involved. The charges stem from a new Arkansas law aimed at addressing the misuse of AI in creating pornographic content without consent.

Key Points: • Russell Bloodworth III faces over 200 charges related to child sexual abuse material. • The investigation began with a cyber tip that identified AI-generated explicit images of children. • Bloodworth has pleaded not guilty and is under strict monitoring while awaiting trial.