A 41-year-old pediatrician from North Carolina has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for using artificial intelligence to transform innocent child-friendly images into explicit pornographic content. David Tatum will also face 30 years of supervised release for clandestinely recording numerous teenagers, including family members and acquaintances, while they were changing clothes.
Robert DeWitt, the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in North Carolina, expressed shock at the heinous actions, stating, “It is horrifying to think that anyone would covertly record children in vulnerable moments for their own sexual gratification, especially when the perpetrator is a trusted physician responsible for aiding children in challenging mental health situations.”
Tatum was convicted six months ago on three charges: producing, transporting, and possessing child pornography. Evidence presented during the trial revealed that the pediatrician spent five years amassing a significant collection of illicit material.
During a family vacation in Maine, Tatum surreptitiously filmed his 15-year-old cousin and other young relatives while they were changing clothes. Additionally, he illicitly recorded a former patient during a counseling session by placing a camera under her skirt, even though she had recently turned 18.
When Tatum’s personal recordings were no longer sufficient, he turned to a “deepfake” website to digitally manipulate images of minors, converting innocent pictures into sexually explicit content. Authorities discovered over 1,000 illicit files in his possession, including videos labeled with the term “PTHC,” believed to stand for pre-teen hardcore.
Following his arrest in 2021, Tatum admitted to his deviant behavior. In addition to his lengthy prison term, he is obligated to pay a $100 special assessment for each count of conviction under the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act. Upon release, Tatum will be required to register as a sex offender.
