A 48-year-old Sandy man who co-founded and serves as chief technology officer of a Salt Lake County artificial intelligence company was arrested July 22, on investigation of 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, according to a police booking affidavit.

Burke Clark Powers was taken into custody after investigators found AI-generated child sexual abuse material and deepfake pornography stored on his computer and Google Drive account, the affidavit states.

The investigation began when Powers' ex-wife discovered the material and reported it to the FBI National Threat Operations Center. She told investigators it appeared Powers had been scanning yearbook photos into the AI program he was using to generate the images, according to the affidavit. She also provided law enforcement with copies of numerous folders from the Google Drive account.

Investigators obtained a search warrant for the account and found a large quantity of AI-generated images and videos, including child sexual abuse material, the affidavit states. They also found deepfake videos in which Powers' face was superimposed over a male subject's face, and other female victims' faces were placed on other bodies to create pornographic material depicting him appearing to have sexual relations with them.

When questioned by police on July 22, Powers admitted to using faces of past friends from high school or college to create the deepfakes, according to the affidavit. Asked about the AI-generated images of children, he claimed they were created "by accident multiple times" and said he had learned there were several words he would have to avoid so the generator would not create children.

Under Utah law, sexual exploitation of a minor, which includes possessing or creating computer-generated child sexual abuse material, is a second-degree felony. Each count carries a potential sentence of one to 15 years in prison.

Reports of AI-generated abuse material to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children increased 1,325% between 2023 and 2024, according to a report from the Utah Legislature's Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel.

No formal charges or court date had been publicly confirmed as of July 23. The charges listed are "for investigation of," meaning formal charging decisions may still be pending.

Residents who suspect child exploitation can report it to the FBI at tips.fbi.gov or to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at missingkids.com/gethelpnow/cybertipline.