AI Nude Deepfakes Lead to $2.5 Million Bond for Indiana Photographer

Charles Coriaty, a 63-year-old resident of Fishers, Indiana, posted a $2.5 million cash bond following a formal charging of 20 felony counts. The charges stem from the use of artificial intelligence software to digitally remove clothing from photographs of young individuals.

The Hamilton County Metro Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force filed preliminary charges against Coriaty on Monday. On Wednesday, Hamilton Circuit Court formalized the indictment, listing 10 low-level felony counts for child exploitation, seven for possession of child pornography, and three for possession of child sex abuse material. Coriaty remains held in the Hamilton County jail in Noblesville.

The investigation began when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children forwarded a CyberTip from SmugMug, a paid platform for hosting and sharing photographs. The initial tip included approximately 175 images, many of which had been altered using an AI application to make the subjects appear nude.

Detectives obtained a warrant to search Coriaty’s SmugMug account, where they located additional material. A separate warrant allowed them to search his home, where computer folders labeled “Teen Models,” “Braces,” and “School Portraits” contained further images. The task force stated that the folders revealed the extent of the collection.

The multi-agency task force is based at the Fishers Police Department. Its members include detectives from the Fishers, Carmel, Westfield, Noblesville, Greenfield, and Anderson police departments, along with personnel from the Hamilton and Madison county sheriff’s offices and U.S. Homeland Security.