Photo by Whitney Downard/Pennsylvania Capital-Star Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, shown at a Dec. 15, 2025 press conference, said the case demonstrated the “dark side” of technology.

A year after two Lancaster County teenagers were charged with using artificial intelligence to create nude images of their classmates, both admitted Thursday to 59 felonies in court for manufacturing child sexual abuse material.

Creating the images counts as felony sexual abuse of children. Both 16-year-old males were adjudicated delinquent by Lancaster County President Judge Leonard G. Brown III and sentencing is scheduled for March 25.

The nude images were “morphed” using online photos found mainly on Instagram — including 48 female classmates at Lancaster Country Day School and 12 others who were acquaintances of the students.

“This case exemplifies the dark side of modern technology and social media,” said state Attorney General Sunday in a release. “The conduct involved a weaponization of technology to victimize unsuspecting children who had photos online. It goes without saying that the impact on the victims is nothing short of devastation.”

Senior Deputy Attorney General Janie Swinehart prosecuted the case on behalf of the agency’s Child Predator Section.

The high-profile crime has driven lawmakers to amend state law to keep up with the rapidly changing technology. Though possession of such child sexual abuse material is already illegal, artificial intelligence has made it easier than ever to access.

A recent effort, Senate Bill 1050, further clarified the law concerning possession by minors, requiring mandated reporters to file such incidents regardless of the age of the perpetrator. It passed the Senate unanimously in November and awaits consideration in the House.