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26,362 Percent Increase in AI-Child Sex Abuse Material

There are a lot of frightening things happening with artificial intelligence and children. In the last month, the news has been full of horror stories of child sex abuse statistics. For example, the Internet Watch Foundation reported a 26,362% increase in Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) in the past year. 2025 was by far the worst year on record.

There has been a never-ending stream of reports about Grok. X’s AI chatbot that allows users to digitally remove women’s clothing. The Center for Countering Digital Hate reported that within a period of only 11 days, Grok generated three million sexualized images, 23,000 of which depicted children.

NCOSE Calls to Investigate X for AI Sexual Exploitation

The National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) is calling on the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate X because its Grok AI chatbot allows users to create child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and has been allowing users to create nonconsensual sexualized images of women (image-based sexual abuse) that have been widely shared on the platform.

As other countries are now doing, U.S. authorities must investigate X. U.S. federal laws prohibit the creation and distribution of child sexual abuse material, even virtually created CSAM, in certain circumstances, such as when it depicts an identifiable child or depicts a child engaged in sexually explicit conduct. X may also have violated the Take It Down Act for failing to remove and/or continuing to generate non-consensual sexualized images of people without their consent. NCOSE is urging the DOJ and FTC to investigate child exploitation crimes and violations of the Take It Down Act.

Update on 2026 Iowa Human Trafficking Legislation

On March 20, the second funnel deadline for the legislative session passed, marking a milestone for which bills will remain a priority for the legislature. The week of March 23 marks the 11th week of the legislative session—less than one month before the scheduled end of the session. However, if no budget has been agreed upon, legislators will continue to meet until this has been accomplished. Appropriations and tax bills are exempt from funnel deadlines and may be considered through the end of session, tentatively scheduled for April 21.

On March 12, the Revenue Estimating Conference (REC) met to approve updated projections for state revenue. The REC made only minor adjustments to prior estimates. FY26 revenue is now projected at $8.11 billion, slightly below the December estimate of $8.16 billion. FY27 revenue is projected at $8.47 billion, down from $8.50 billion in December. In May 2025, the legislature passed a $9.42 billion FY26 budget, creating a $1.3 billion shortfall that will require the legislature to dip into reserve funds. If spending remains unchanged, FY27 could require another $1 billion+ from reserves, particularly as Medicaid and education costs rise.

A top priority for the Network Against Human Trafficking (NAHT) this year is securing a $1 million state investment in survivor services. Currently, eight nonprofit providers across Iowa operate residential programs specifically designed to meet the unique and complex needs of human trafficking survivors. NAHT is advocating for dedicated funding within the Justice System’s budget to strengthen and sustain these critical services. Initial budget drafts are expected in late March or early April.

Top Priorities

HF 1036 (Comprehensive HT Bill): (Support) A comprehensive modernization of Iowa’s human trafficking laws that strengthens victim identification, expands survivor protections, improves access to justice, enhances coordination across systems, and builds capacity for survivor-centered services and accountability. The amended bill reflects national best practices and directly advances NAHT’s mission to prevent trafficking, protect victims, and promote survivor recovery and justice.

  • 2025 Session: House passed the bill unanimously
  • 2026 Session: Bill passed out of Senate Judiciary Committee, with an amendment. It will need to pass the Senate chamber and return to the House if amended before being signed into law.
  • The bill is eligible through the end of this session.

SF 2205/HF 2602 (Massage Establishment Licensures): (Support) The bill creates a licensure requirement for massage establishments and establishes penalties. NAHT is working in collaboration with the Iowa Massage Therapy Association in response to the challenge of shutting down illicit practices that occur in establishments disguised as legitimate massage therapy facilities.

  • 2026 Session: Bill passed out of the House floor with a vote of 83-8 and the Senate Judiciary Committee but still needs to pass the Senate floor.

Secure $1 Million Appropriation for Human Trafficking Victim Service Fund

  • The AG’s office and the Governor have requested the $1M in funding in their FY27 budgets.
  • The budget process will start in earnest toward the end of March after budget targets are announced. In the meantime, we continue to have conversations with legislators about this request.
Other Issues

HF 2696 (Record Expungement): (Support) Relates to expungement of certain criminal history records of victims of human trafficking.

  • 2026 Session: Bill passed out of House floor unanimously and the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously. It still needs to pass the Senate floor.

SF 2167/HF 2598 (Training for Truck-drivers): (Support) Relates to human trafficking prevention training for persons applying for certain commercial driver’s licenses.

  • 2026 Session: Passed out of the House chamber unanimously and still needs to be brought to the Senate floor.

HF 2704/SF 2379 (Attorney General Bill): Would enact “Katie’s law,” which would require DNA collection from individuals arrested for aggravated misdemeanors and felonies. It also deals with the confidentiality of victim services and liability, protection orders, sex offender registrations, crime victim compensation program, and more.

  • 2026 Session: Passed out of full committee in both chambers and has been placed on the calendar in the Senate and House.

HF 826 (Obscene Materials Involving Minors): (Monitor) Would prohibit anyone from knowingly producing, distributing, receiving, or possessing obscene material involving a minor. Violations would be charged with aggravated misdemeanors and/or a class “D” felony.

  • 2025 Session: Passed House unanimously
  • 2026 Session: Passed out of Senate Judiciary and placed on the calendar. It needs to pass the Senate floor before heading to the governor’s desk

HF 2515/SF 2115 (Deferred Sentences): (Support) Would prohibit deferred or suspended sentences for cases involving sexual exploitation of a minor.

  • 2026 Session: Passed both chambers, heading to the governor’s desk.

SF 273 (Mandatory Reporting for Grooming Behavior): (Monitor) Would require mandatory reporting to the board of educational examiners of school employees who exhibit grooming behaviors.

  • 2025 Session: Passed the Senate
  • 2026 Session: Passed House Education committee and has been placed on the calendar. Still needs to pass the House before heading to the governor’s desk.
  • On March 26, the NAHT Legislative Advocacy Committee voted to declare the NAHT as supportive of this bill.

SF 2416/HF 2703 (Subsequent Interviews for Child Abuse): Would allow law enforcement to petition the courts to interview children involved in alleged child abuse cases if parents refuse. Would require reasonable suspicion that the children are involved in founded abuse.

  • 2026 Session: Passed both full chambers and headed to the governor’s desk.

University of Dubuque Professor Arrested in Connection to Undercover Grooming Operation

A now-former University of Dubuque professor has been arrested in connection to an undercover grooming operation by the Manchester Police Department.

Nathan Hough has been charged with grooming and dissemination of obscene material to a minor. According to the university’s website, Hough was an associate professor of psychology at the school.

Manchester police say Hough traveled to Manchester to engage in sex acts with an undercover officer portraying a minor. They say he also sent explicit pictures to the officer and requested the minor urinate on him.

Iowa Man Charged with Nine Counts Related to Child Exploitation

Brandon Scott Baker, 39, formerly from Grundy Center, Iowa, has been charged with one count of sexual exploitation of a child, two counts of transporting a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, one count of receipt of child pornography, one count of transportation of child pornography, and four counts of possession of child pornography. The charges are contained in an indictment filed on February 24, 2026, in United States District Court in Cedar Rapids.

The indictment alleges that, over the course of several years, Baker used or attempted to use a minor to produce visual depictions of sexually explicit conduct, transported a minor across state lines with the intent to engage in sexual activity, and received, transported, and possessed child pornography.

If convicted on all charges, Baker faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life in prison and supervised release for life following any imprisonment.

Baker is being held without bond. As with any criminal case, a charge is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Ask Iowa Senators to Pass DOL HT Training Bill

One of the best ways to detect labor trafficking is to have informed investigators with the legal authority for reviewing business practices. H.R. 4307, introduced by Rep. Tim Walberg, passed the U.S. House of Representatives on March 3. The bill now stands before the U.S. Senate.

H.R. 4307 requires the Department of Labor (DOL) to provide training and education to its employees on how to effectively assist law enforcement in detecting human trafficking. The bill directs DOL to determine which employees should receive the training and education based on their official duties. Training and education would include information that is relevant to detecting human trafficking, identifying suspected victims, and referring potential cases to the Department of Justice and other appropriate authorities.

Please contact Iowa’s U.S. Senators Grassley and Earnst to support this bill.

Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Attempted Enticement of an Iowa Minor

Shawn Powell was sentenced in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on February 19, 2026, to 10 years in federal prison for attempted enticement of a minor.

According to public court documents, Shawn Christopher Powell, 52, communicated with a person he believed was a 13-year-old female between May and August 2025. Powell sent messages about wanting to engage in sex acts with the minor. In August 2025, Powell traveled from Tennessee to Iowa with the intent to meet up with the minor to engage in sex acts, and had condoms, sex toys, prescription pills, and children’s clothing in his possession at the time of his arrest.

After completing his term of imprisonment, Powell will be required to serve a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation-Child Exploitation Task Force investigated the case.

Iowa Man Sentenced to 84 Months in Federal Prison

A Durant, Iowa man was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison for transportation of child pornography.

According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received multiple CyberTips that an account, later determined to be associated with Bryce Kenneth Gregoire, 31, had files containing child sexual abuse material, which Gregoire uploaded. Further investigation showed that Gregoire had uploaded images and videos containing child sexual abuse material to his account, including the material from the CyberTips, from his residence, and his personal cell phone. Gregoire’s account also contained images and videos of child sexual abuse material that was not included in the CyberTips.

After completing his term of imprisonment, Gregoire will be required to serve a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Gregoire was also ordered to pay $3,000 in restitution.

United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Davenport Police Department.

Celebrating 10 Years of Safety for Iowa Survivors

This January marked the 10 year anniversary of Safe at Home, a program created by the Iowa Secretary of State’s office to protect the privacy and safety of Iowans at risk due to domestic violence, sexual abuse, trafficking, or stalking.

Since its launch in 2016, Safe at Home has offered a confidential address option, enabling participants to open bank accounts, enroll their children in school, and register to vote without fear of their physical location being disclosed.

Over the past decade, the program has served more than 3,000 Iowans, including 2,767 Safe at Home participants, offering peace of mind, stability, and a layer of security during difficult moments. As Safe at Home enters its second decade, its mission remains the same: to ensure survivors have access to practical tools that support both safety and independence, highlighting the program’s quiet but critical role across Iowa.

Marshalltown Man Sent Back to Federal Prison

A Marshalltown man was sentenced on January 30, 2026, to 16 years in federal prison for attempted receipt of child pornography while on federal supervised release.

In September 2025, following a two-day trial, a jury convicted Cory Marvin Baker, 54, of attempted receipt of child pornography. According to public court documents and evidence presented at trial, Baker was on federal supervised release for a 2013 conviction for possession of child pornography in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. During an unannounced visit at Baker’s Marshalltown residence, United States Probation Officers conducted an authorized search of his bedroom and discovered a laptop, tablet, and cell phone. Baker was prohibited from possessing internet-capable devices, cameras, and cell phones without the approval of the Probation Office. A forensic examination of the seized electronic devices showed that Baker used the devices to search for child sexual abuse material.

In addition to his 2013 conviction for possession of child pornography, Baker was convicted in 2000 of sexual exploitation of a minor and possession of child pornography in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa.

Baker was ordered to serve an additional two-year prison sentence for violating his terms of supervised release. After completing his terms of imprisonment, Baker will be required to serve a 15-year term of supervised release.

U.S. Department of Labor: List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor

In 2024, 138 million children were exploited through child labor. Many of the products Americans rely on every day have stories behind them. From the clothes we wear and the food we eat to electronics and household goods, these items often pass through multiple countries and suppliers before reaching Iowa’s shelves. The harsh reality is that many of these goods are produced in conditions that involve child labor or forced labor.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs maintains a public list of goods that may be connected to labor exploitation. This resource is meant to inform and give individuals and businesses a clearer picture of where risks may exist in global supply chains.

By understanding which goods and industries are most vulnerable, consumers can make more informed purchasing decisions, and businesses can take steps to review suppliers, strengthen policies, and commit to responsible sourcing. Tap here to access the list of goods produced by child or forced labor.

Rockford Man Pleads Guilty

A man who received images and videos of child pornography pleaded guilty on February 23, 2026, in federal court in Cedar Rapids. Anthony Paul Harden, 47, from Rockford, Iowa, was convicted of one count of receipt of child pornography.

Evidence in a plea agreement and at a prior hearing showed that in August 2025, law enforcement officers searched Harden’s home in Rockford and seized four electronic devices that contained child pornography. Between May 2023 and July 2025, Harden received and possessed hundreds of images and videos of child pornography, including of toddlers and sadistic and masochistic conduct.

Alexander Brothers Found Guilty on All Counts in Sex-Trafficking Trial

Courtesy of The New York Times

Three brothers, including two who were among the country’s most prominent real estate brokers, were convicted in Manhattan of engaging in a yearslong conspiracy to traffic women and girls for sex.

The brothers — Tal and Oren Alexander, who regularly closed multimillion-dollar real estate deals in New York and elsewhere, and Alon Alexander, a security executive — were found guilty on every count they each faced, and all could now receive up to life in prison when the judge, Valerie E. Caproni, sentences them on Aug. 6.

The verdict comes more than a month after the trial began in Federal District Court, where the jury heard weeks of emotional and often graphic testimony from 11 women who had accused the brothers of rape or sexual assault. The jurors deliberated for about 21 hours over three days.

“It was a rough day,” one juror, declining to give his name, told a reporter outside the courthouse after the verdict. “I’m numb, to say the least.”

The jurors listened to more than 30 witnesses and in one case watched a video of one of the Alexander brothers assaulting a 17-year-old girl. The jurors’ names were withheld by Judge Caproni because of the sensitive nature of the case.

The government had told the jury that the defendants masqueraded as party boys when they actually were predators.

“They used a consistent playbook to lure, isolate and rape their victims,” a prosecutor, Andrew Jones, said in a closing argument, “and not only did they commit these crimes without remorse, they did it with callousness, with a perverse sense of pride.”

In some cases, the brothers — Tal, 39, and Oren and Alon, twins who are 38 — used drugs to incapacitate and rape their victims, the prosecution said.

During the five weeks of trial, lawyers for all three Alexander brothers sought to undermine the credibility of the victims, raising questions about their sexual histories and drug use. Tap here to read more.

Books Now Available for Teens or Parents: Online Safety and Human Trafficking Prevention

The books are:

  • The Amazing Generation – A highly praised, actionable guide for tweens and teens designed to combat the crisis caused by phone, tablet or computer internet predators. Uses graphic novel, facts and testimonies, empowering kids to rebel against ‘greed wizards’ (big tech).  Available online anywhere from $5.50 to $12.00.
  • Your Amazing Itty Bitty Keep Your Children Safe Book – 15 key steps for parents to protect children from online dangers like predators, trafficking and sextortion, covering topics such as social media safety, monitoring online activity and recognizing threats. On Amazon for $8.99.
  • Digital Warfare: Our Kids on the Frontline – Explores how children are being targeted and affected by digital threats in today’s connected world. Focus on Online Exploitation Risk, Sextortion and Cocerive Tactics, Technologies Driving Risk, and Prevention Strategies. Available at Pmillionkids.org, both PDF and Audio for $12.50.

TV News Clips & Articles

By on March 31, 2026   /   News