Potts Law Firm Presses Civil Claims Over AI-Generated Child Abuse Material

The case behind the statement

The firm's press release, dated Oct. 12, 2026, points to the reported arrest of an Illinois man allegedly linked to more than 50,000 AI-generated child sexual abuse images and videos. The arrest was reported by Lake and McHenry County Scanner, according to the release.

Potts Law Firm describes the case as a reminder of the harm artificial intelligence can inflict on children and families. The firm says the investigation highlights growing concerns about the use of AI technology to create sexually abusive material depicting minors. The release does not provide further details about the arrest or the charges.

What the firm says it is doing

According to the firm, it represents families seeking accountability for alleged AI-generated child sexual abuse material, as well as accountability from the technology companies whose systems may have enabled the harm. It says it continues to pursue civil claims in federal courts nationwide involving such material.

The release does not name any specific technology companies, cases or courts, and it does not describe the legal theories the firm is using. The firm also encourages families who believe their children may have been affected to seek confidential legal guidance.

Derek Potts, the firm's founder, said: "Criminal prosecutions are important, but families also deserve answers and the opportunity to hold companies accountable when their technology has contributed to this harm."

Statements from the firm's attorneys

Emily Marlowe Adler, an attorney with the firm, stressed the need to support affected families. "Families should not have to fight these battles alone," she said, adding that the firm is "committed to helping families pursue justice and demanding accountability when the evidence and the law support it."

Potts Law Firm describes itself as a national plaintiffs' litigation firm based in Houston, Texas. It says it represents individuals and families in complex litigation, including cases involving artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and alleged corporate misconduct.

What it means

The announcement shows how civil litigation is being positioned alongside criminal prosecution as a route for families affected by AI-generated abuse material. The firm argues that criminal cases alone do not give families answers or a way to hold companies accountable.

The release is a statement from a law firm, not a court ruling or a regulatory action. It offers no outcomes, filings or findings against any company, so how far such claims can succeed remains untested in the source material.