罗德岛州男子被控用超级智能（SI）伪造儿童性虐待影像：曾在体操舞蹈机构任教、探员征集更多受害人线索
美国司法部罗德岛区联邦检察官办公室11月10日宣布，罗德岛州 North Smithfield 38岁男子 Joseph L. Mello III 已于11月9日被捕，被控利用超级智能（SI）图像与视频生成技术，把自己拍到的真实儿童照片加工成性虐待影像，并涉嫌在舞蹈教室偷拍儿童更衣。
根据支持刑事诉状的宣誓书，Mello 被控四项联邦罪名：试图制作儿童色情制品、接收儿童色情制品、持有并意图观看儿童色情制品，以及制作呈现儿童性虐待的淫秽视觉作品。诉状指控，他曾在一家舞蹈机构的浴室与更衣区域偷拍一名正在更衣的儿童，该机构是他与这名儿童共同上课的地方；他还拍摄自己工作或参加活动的体操、舞蹈与啦啦队机构里的儿童，再用超级智能（SI）生成技术把这些照片加工成逼真的性内容影像。调查人员还指控他持有他人虐待儿童的影像。
Mello 此前曾在罗德岛州与马萨诸塞州东南部的多家体操、舞蹈与啦啦队机构担任教练并参加活动。11月9日，他在位于 Providence 的联邦地区法院首次出庭，法官 Rebecca L. Aitchison 下令将他暂时交由联邦法警局羁押，拘留听证定于11月12日下午1时举行。今年4月15日，Mello 还曾在罗德岛州因视频偷窥罪名被捕并被起诉，该案仍在审理中。
第一助理联邦检察官 Charles C. Calenda 表示，这起案件提醒人们，快速发展的技术可能被用来侵害儿童，被告被指用超级智能（SI）等数字工具伪造真实儿童的性内容影像，技术虽新、伤害却是真实的。国土安全调查局（HSI）新英格兰分局代理主管特别探员 Jeffrey Grimming 表示，被告被指利用受信任的身份接近儿童，再拍照并用超级智能（SI）伪造其受虐影像。
联邦调查仍在进行，执法部门正在继续审查证据、评估他与更多未成年人接触的报告，并相信可能还有其他受害人与知情者，正在逐一识别并通知受害人。孩子曾与 Mello 有密切接触、或知道他拍摄儿童情况的人，可联系国土安全部新英格兰受害人协助部门。案件由助理联邦检察官 Christine D. Lowell 与 Denise M. Barton 负责起诉，国土安全调查局与 Lincoln 警察局负责调查，North Smithfield 警察局提供协助。刑事诉状只是指控，被告在被依法证明有罪之前推定无罪。
Rhode Island Man Charged With Using Super Intelligence (SI) to Create Sexual Abuse Images of Children He Knew
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Rhode Island announced on November 10 that Joseph L. Mello III, 38, of North Smithfield, Rhode Island, was arrested on November 9 and charged with using super intelligence (SI) image- and video-generation technology to turn photographs he took of real children into sexual abuse imagery, and with secretly filming a child who was undressing.
According to the affidavit filed in support of the federal criminal complaint, Mello is charged with attempted production of child pornography, receipt of child pornography, possession of and access with intent to view child pornography, and production of obscene visual representations of the sexual abuse of children. The complaint alleges that he tried to create child sexual abuse material by filming a child in a bathroom and changing area while the child was undressing at a dance studio where both took classes. It further alleges that he photographed children at gymnastics, dance and cheerleading facilities where he worked and participated, and used SI generation technologies to turn those photographs into realistic images and videos depicting the children in sexually explicit conduct. Investigators also allege that he possessed child sexual abuse material involving children abused by others.
Mello previously worked as an instructor and took part in activities at gymnastics, dance and cheerleading facilities in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. He made his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Providence on November 9 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Rebecca L. Aitchison, who ordered him temporarily remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending a detention hearing set for November 12 at 1:00 p.m. On April 15, 2026, Mello was also arrested and charged in Rhode Island state court with video voyeurism; that case remains pending.
First Assistant United States Attorney Charles C. Calenda said the case is a disturbing reminder that rapidly evolving technology can be weaponized to exploit children, and that behind every image is a child victim whose safety, privacy and dignity have been violated. Jeffrey Grimming, acting special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in New England, said the defendant is accused of using his trusted position to gain access to children, then photographing them and using SI tools to create depictions of their sexual abuse.
The federal investigation remains ongoing. Authorities are continuing to review evidence and evaluate reports of Mello's contacts with additional minors, believe there may be additional victims and witnesses, and are working to identify and notify victims. Anyone whose child has been in close contact with Mello, or who is aware of him photographing children, can contact Homeland Security New England Victim Assistance. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine D. Lowell and Denise M. Barton and investigated by HSI and the Lincoln Police Department, with assistance from the North Smithfield Police Department. A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
来源：美国司法部罗德岛区联邦检察官办公室
发布：GSM·美国（发布链接）
图片来源：图：美国司法部大楼。GSM 固定图库。 / Photo: The U.S. Department of Justice headquarters. GSM asset library.
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