Baton Rouge case highlights growing concerns among lawmakers after man allegedly created sexual deepfakes of co-worker - WAFB

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - A disturbing case involving artificial intelligence is highlighting growing concerns over the use of AI to create sexually explicit images and deepfake videos.

Baton Rouge police say Bennet Gauthreaux, 55, of Pierre Part used artificial intelligence to create nude images and a sexually explicit deepfake video involving a female co-worker.

A deepfake is a manipulated video, audio recording or image that makes a real person appear to say or do something they never actually did.

According to Gauthreaux’s arrest warrant, the victim told investigators that Gauthreaux showed her the images and videos he created. One of the videos allegedly showed Gauthreaux and the woman having sex.

Investigators say Gauthreaux used an online website to create the content and later attempted to delete it from his phone and online storage.

The woman told police the sexual activity shown in the video never happened and that she never gave Gauthreaux permission to create nude or sexually explicit images or videos of her.

The case is raising concerns among lawmakers about the challenges of keeping Louisiana laws up to date as artificial intelligence technology evolves.

State Sen. Regina Barrow said cases like this demonstrate the potential harm AI-generated content can cause.

“We just don’t know how wicked some individuals may become and what they may do in terms of this intrusion to affect somebody’s life,” Barrow said.

A new Louisiana law that took effect in 2026 increases penalties for people who create sexually explicit AI-generated and deepfake content.

Barrow said lawmakers face the challenge of trying to keep legislation current as the technology continues to change.

“What we legislate, may not be relevant next year,” Barrow said. “The ones we think we have solved or addressed; it changes again. And we have to make sure we change again with it,” Barrow said.

Barrow said she is particularly concerned about the potential long-term impact on victims, including having to prove that they did not create or participate in fabricated content.

“The trouble they may have to go through to try to not prove this is something that they did, is one of my greatest fears that I have,” Barrow said. “It’s not right. It’s absolutely not right.”

Gauthreaux faces charges under Louisiana’s unlawful deepfakes law.

The law makes it a crime to knowingly share, show or distribute sexually explicit deepfake images or videos of another person without that person’s consent.

If convicted under the part of the law cited in the warrant, Gauthreaux could face 10 to 30 years at hard labor, a fine of up to $50,000, or both.

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