To protect the identity of minors as well as victims, students in this piece are left anonymous.
On May 22, several students at the Burger King on San Pedro and Adams logged in on a computer into the Green Dot account of another student who had given them their password. Those students discovered a photo on Gmail of an AI image of another student in revealing clothing. After the initial discovery, one of the students that found the initial image found additional (non- explicit) images of many female students in the alleged perpetrator’s gmail that had been downloaded without permission from internal student media files. These photos were sent from the alleged perpetrator’s personal gmail to his school gmail.
These students informed the victim and reported it to Assistant Principal Eric Brito, who began an investigation.
On May 26, one of the students who initially discovered the photo shared a tip with Assistant Principal Eric Brito that there may be several additional victims on the alleged perpetrator’s school Google Drive. Thus far, Bulldog Bugle reporters have confirmed seven victims, though other students have reported seeing photos of at least five additional students. As of Friday, Brito confirmed that the alleged perpetrator has had his access removed from all Green Dot accounts.
School officials began holding meetings on Thursday with students who had discovered or learned about the files as well as with the alleged perpetrator. Meetings continued on Friday, also being held with the families of possible victims.
The alleged perpetrator has not been in school since the incident was reported. Local law enforcement from LAPD have also begun an investigation.
This is a developing story. Additional updates will be added as the story develops, including additional context on AI deepfakes, how schools respond, and how students can be safe online.
Anyone with information to bring forward should speak to either Assistant Principal Eric Brito or School Counselor Laura Gutierrez.
