A U.S. Army soldier is now facing federal indictments in two different states for allegedly producing and trafficking child sexual abuse material (CSAM), some of which was generated using artificial intelligence. The case of Specialist Seth Herrera, a 35-year-old father and active-duty service member stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) in Alaska, has sent shockwaves through both military and law enforcement communities.
A Predator in Uniform
Herrera, a heavy vehicle driver with the 17th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 11th Airborne Division, was first arrested on August 23, 2024, after investigators discovered tens of thousands of graphic images and videos on his cell phones. These files reportedly depicted the violent sexual abuse of children, including infants.
Prosecutors say Herrera’s actions went far beyond mere possession. He allegedly used AI software to morph images of real children into explicit sexual content—children whom he personally knew and had direct access to. According to a federal memorandum, Herrera secretly recorded minors undressing in his home using a home security system in 2022 and 2023, during his time living outside Alaska, including in El Paso, Texas.
He then used those recordings, along with content he scraped from social media, to create new AI-generated CSAM using advanced chatbots and generative software. Federal officials described his methods as “highly sophisticated,” pointing out his use of encrypted apps and obfuscation techniques to avoid detection.
An Expanding Criminal Case
Originally indicted in Alaska in 2024 for transportation, receipt, and possession of child pornography, Herrera was indicted again on May 15, 2025, in the Western District of Texas for attempted sexual exploitation of a child and additional CSAM-related charges. Authorities allege Herrera engaged in this behavior over a span of multiple years, beginning in 2021, and used every technological tool at his disposal to feed his criminal behavior.
“A Danger to the Community”
In August 2024, Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Rothberg described Herrera as “a danger to the community” and successfully argued for his pre-trial detention, citing the deeply disturbing nature of the allegations and his digital expertise. “The court is disturbed by the allegations in this case,” Rothberg stated, referencing Herrera’s calculated abuse of technology to exploit children.
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco echoed those concerns, stating:
“Criminals considering the use of AI to perpetuate their crimes should stop and think twice — because the Department of Justice is prosecuting AI-enabled criminal conduct to the fullest extent of the law.”
A Soldier’s Access and Opportunity
Herrera has been in the Army since 2019, with previous duty stations including Fort Sill (OK), Fort Leonard Wood (MO), Fort Bliss (TX), and South Korea before being stationed at JBER in 2023. His role involved transporting supplies across Alaska and residing in on-base housing, where prosecutors say he had frequent contact with children.
Despite the gravity of the allegations, Herrera remains on active duty, as no conviction has yet been rendered. That detail alone has raised questions among many in the military community.
Call for Information
The investigation is being led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID). Anyone with information about Herrera—or who may have encountered him online or in person—is urged to contact the HSI tip line at 1-877-447-4847.
The case is being prosecuted under the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative aimed at locating and prosecuting child predators using the internet and digital technologies.
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