Vinton, Louisiana - A 56-year-old Vinton man was arrested last month on charges related to child pornography and deepfake material involving minors, according to the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office.
Erik G. Addison, 56, of Vinton, Louisiana, was taken into custody September 25 following a multi-agency investigation that began earlier that month. The case originated when the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office Special Victims Unit received a complaint from the Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office on September 19.
The Special Victims Unit detectives, who are members of the Louisiana Attorney General's Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, launched an investigation after Livingston Parish authorities indicated that Addison was in possession of child pornography materials.
After conducting further investigation over several days, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Addison on September 24. He was located and arrested the following day.
Addison was booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center on multiple charges. He faces two counts of pornography involving juveniles and one count of unlawful deepfakes. The deepfake charge specifically relates to material that depicts a minor engaging in sexual conduct.
Deepfakes refer to digitally manipulated media that uses artificial intelligence to create realistic but fake images or videos. Louisiana law specifically addresses the creation and distribution of deepfake material involving minors.
Judge Michael Canaday set Addison's bond at $625,000 during his initial court appearance.
Corporal Denin Wilcox served as the arresting deputy in the case, while Senior Sergeant Alexander Vincent acted as the lead investigator.
The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force represents a collaborative effort between local law enforcement agencies and the Louisiana Attorney General's Office to investigate and prosecute crimes involving the exploitation of minors online.
All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.