A U.S. Air Force airman stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, has been arrested following a federal grand jury indictment. The indictment charges the airman with distributing and possessing child sexual abuse materials.
Court documents indicate that Caleb French, 27, was reported to the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) in August 2024 by an individual who alleged that French intended to commit sexual assaults against minors. AFOSI executed a search warrant at French’s residence and reportedly found multiple digital devices containing over a thousand images and videos depicting child sexual abuse. Authorities also allege that French sent the reporting individual a link to a video showing such material during the same month.
Further allegations suggest that French took photos and videos of children in public places throughout the community without their knowledge, intending to use them to produce artificial intelligence-generated child sexual abuse materials.
French faces one count each of distribution and possession of child pornography. He made his initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Matthew M. Scoble at the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska on Monday. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison; however, any sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge after considering various guidelines and statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker for the District of Alaska and Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Day of the FBI Anchorage Field Office announced these developments.
The case is being investigated by both the FBI Anchorage Field Office and Anchorage Police Department as part of an ongoing initiative under the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, with substantial assistance from AFOSI.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mac Caille Petursson is prosecuting this case.
Individuals with information regarding French's alleged activities are encouraged to contact the FBI Anchorage Field Office directly or provide tips anonymously online.
It should be noted that an indictment constitutes merely an allegation; all defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court proceedings.
