PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 26, 2026
Canyon County Man Sentenced to Up to 30 Years in Prison for Using AI to Create Sexually Exploitative Material of a Child
CALDWELL, Idaho — A Canyon County man was sentenced today to up to 30 years in prison for using artificial intelligence to create sexually exploitative material depicting a teen he knew.
Third District Judge Bradly Ford sentenced Adam Pettibone, 39, to 10 years fixed followed by 20 years indeterminate for one count of Producing Sexually Exploitative Material of a Child, a felony under Idaho Code § 18-1507(2)(c). Pettibone previously pleaded guilty to the charge.
Pettibone took photographs of the teen from Facebook and used artificial intelligence software to turn them into pornographic videos. Police discovered the material after a traffic stop in Greenleaf in May 2026. During the stop, officers also found extensive handwritten material describing Pettibone’s desire to violently sexually abuse young children and infants.
In a statement, the victim told the court about the toll the defendant’s conduct had taken on the victim’s life. “Think about what it means to look at yourself and feel disgusted, not because you did anything wrong, but because someone else chose to violate you,” the victim said. “I deserved to trust people without wondering what they might do with that trust. And I deserved to have my childhood and my dignity respected.”
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Garrett Swenson asked the court to impose a 30-year sentence, with 10 years fixed followed by 20 years indeterminate. The defendant’s attorney asked for a sentence of five years fixed followed by 10 years indeterminate.
Judge Ford stated that in his 29 years on the bench, he had never read anything as dark as the writings found in Pettibone’s car. He said he was “deeply concerned” for the safety of the community, noting that Pettibone had repeatedly written about and carried with him statements expressing a desire to sexually abuse children, including newborns. Ultimately, Judge Ford agreed with the prosecutor’s recommended sentence of 30 years, with 10 years before the defendant will be eligible for parole.
“People who sexually exploit children are among the most heinous and vile offenders our office prosecutes. This defendant took innocent photographs of a minor and twisted them into something unspeakable,” said Canyon County Prosecutor Chris Boyd. “I want to thank the Wilder Police Department and the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office for their dedication and outstanding work in bringing this defendant to justice.”