A 40-year-old Woodlands-area man faces multiple child sexual abuse material felonies after investigators say he used artificial intelligence to generate exploitative images of children.
Nicholas Ryan Bunting was charged after the Montgomery County Precinct 3 Constable's Office Internet Crimes Against Children Unit investigated a tip that began in April 2026, according to a press release from Constable Ryan Gable's office published Thursday, Aug. 20.
The ICAC Unit opened its case after receiving a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children alleging Bunting possessed child sexual abuse material. The investigation determined Bunting allegedly used AI to create the images, the constable's office said.
Details remain limited. The specific number of felony counts, Bunting's bond amount and his current custody status have not been publicly released.
Second AI-CSAM case this summer
Bunting's arrest is the second AI-generated child pornography case announced by Montgomery County constable offices in recent months. On July 22, the Precinct 1 Constable's Office announced the arrest of Allen Parrish Powell, 58, of Houston, on charges of both possession of child pornography and AI-generated child pornography.
"This case is a reminder that predators are increasingly using AI tools to generate exploitative material, but they are not beyond the reach of investigators," Precinct 1 Constable Cash said in the July 22 announcement about the Powell case.
The Precinct 3 Constable's Office is an affiliate of the Houston-Metro Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, a multi-agency partnership that investigates online exploitation of children.
Bunting is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
No next court date has been announced.
Residents who suspect online exploitation of a child can submit a tip at CyberTipline.org or contact the Precinct 3 Constable's Office.
