Authorities: NIU student from Batavia was using AI to create fake nude images of former classmates

Michael B. Erickson

A Northern Illinois University student was charged this week after police searched his dorm room in DeKalb and found more than 20,000 images depicting child sexual abuse on his electronics, many were digitally faked images of former Batavia classmates, authorities said.

The student used photos of real people he knew and artificial intelligence to create the materials before selling them online via Snapchat, authorities said.

Michael B. Erickson, 19, a graduate of Batavia High School, was charged with 21 counts of possession, creation and dissemination of child sexual abuse materials.

Authorities started investigating Erickson in April after the Batavia Police Department received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, records show.

Batavi