Daniel Joseph Broadway, a 53-year-old resident of Charlotte, appeared in federal court and admitted guilt to charges related to possession of AI-generated images portraying minors involved in sexually explicit acts and child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The announcement was made by Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Robert M. DeWitt, the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Charlotte Division, and Chief Johnny Jennings from the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) joined U.S. Attorney Ferguson in the announcement.
According to court documents, CMPD officers executed a search warrant at Broadway's home on December 12, 2023. They confiscated nine electronic devices, which upon forensic analysis, were found to contain images and videos of CSAM. These included both AI-generated and non-AI content. Investigators found 8,661 images and two videos of non-AI CSAM, alongside 20,292 images and videos of AI-generated CSAM. The materials depicted prepubescent minors, some nude or partially clothed, engaged in sexual acts.
Broadway confessed to charges of possession and intent to access child pornography involving prepubescent minors, and possession of obscene visual depictions of child sexual abuse. Each charge carries a potential maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment. Following his guilty plea, Broadway was taken into custody. A sentencing date has yet to be decided.
U.S. Attorney Ferguson expressed gratitude to the FBI and CMPD for their role in the investigation leading to Broadway's guilty plea. The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Cervantes of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte.
This case aligns with Project Safe Childhood, a national initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at addressing the rising problem of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The initiative employs resources at federal, state, and local levels to identify, prosecute, and apprehend offenders exploiting children online, and to rescue victims.
