Bethlehem resident Adam Erdman, 34, is among a pioneering few to be charged with possession of Ai-generated child sexual abuse material.

According to Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan, Erdman is one of the first defendants in the Commonwealth charged under a statute banning artificially-generated sexual depictions of a child (also known as AI child porn).

Erdman’s estranged wife notified police March 31 that she discovered images in his email of two girls on vacation on which he had used AI software to make them appear naked.

The new Pennsylvania law prohibits the use of technical means (including AI and photo editing software) to produce any image that appears to authentically depict a child engaging in any prohibited sexual act. Any image of a child depicted nude for the purpose of sexual stimulation or gratification of any person violates this statute. This statute became effective Dec. 30, 2024.

Erdman is charged with three counts each of Child Sexual Abuse Material and one count of Criminal Use of a Communication Facility; all felonies of the third degree. Erdman is free after posting $100,000 bail. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing May 28.