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Crime, Law and Justice
MPR News Staff
Updated:

Former Minnesota school employee accused of using AI to create child sex abuse images

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A former employee of two Minnesota school districts now faces federal charges for allegedly receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material — including allegations that he used artificial intelligence technology to produce images of child sex abuse.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for Minnesota on Wednesday announced the new charges against 30-year-old William Michael Haslach. He had already faced state charges in Ramsey County.

Federal officials said Haslach was employed as a lunch monitor and traffic safety guard for the North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale school district from August 2021 through January of this year. He also worked as a paraprofessional and youth summer programs assistant for the Stillwater school district from 2021 through 2024.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office alleges that Haslach “used his access to children to take non-explicit photos of children in his care. Haslach then used those images to produce morphed/AI photos of those minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.”

Haslach faces federal charges related to receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material, as well as one count of producing an obscene visual representation of child sexual abuse.

He made an initial court appearance on Wednesday and remains in custody pending another court hearing on Monday.

Federal officials on Wednesday said investigators believe there may be other victims connected to the case. They’ve set up a website where parents and guardians of children who may have had close contact with Haslach can get more information about the case and available resources.

They also asked that anyone whose child was in close contact with Haslach — or who is aware of Haslach taking photos of their child — contact the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension’s tip line at (651) 793-2465, or e-mail bca.tips@state.mn.us.

A 24-hour statewide sexual violence and domestic violence hotline is available in Minnesota. You can call Minnesota Day One at (866) 223-1111 or text (612) 399-9995.