TULSA, Okla. — A 28-year-old Bixby man has been convicted by a federal jury for possessing child sexual abuse material, including an AI-generated and morphed video he created depicting an identifiable toddler in sexually explicit conduct, federal authorities announced.
Following a three-day trial in federal court, 28-year-old Aaron Chase Sanders was found guilty of Possession of Child Pornography. Sanders remains in custody pending a future sentencing hearing.
Snapchat Report Triggers Multi-Agency Investigation
The case began in January 2026 when a Tulsa Police officer responded to a report regarding potential child exploitation. A female witness reported that after she began messaging Sanders on Snapchat, the conversation turned sexual, and Sanders repeatedly expressed a desire to include a toddler in sexual acts. Court records showed Sanders claimed the toddler had previously walked in on him having sex and that it turned him on, while continuously asking the woman to come over for sex while he was with the child.
Recognizing that Sanders resided in Bixby and potentially had access to minor children, the Tulsa Police officer contacted the Bixby Police Department. Bixby detectives conducted a welfare check at a local residence to ensure the safety of the children and confirmed Sanders was not actively with them at the time.
During an initial interview following search warrant executions, Sanders acknowledged chatting with the woman on Snapchat but attempted to dismiss his statements as mere fantasy.
Forensic Analysis Uncovers AI Video and Commercial CSAM
A forensic extraction of Sanders' cellular device was conducted in coordination with the Glenpool Police Department, which provided specialized technical extraction capabilities.
Review of the extracted data revealed extensive child sexual abuse material. An expert and special agent with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) presented voluminous digital evidence demonstrating that Sanders actively searched for, viewed, downloaded, and purchased abuse material online between September 2025 and January 2026.
Forensic experts also uncovered an AI-generated and morphed video created by Sanders using an original photo stored on his phone. The video depicted an identifiable toddler and an adult woman performing a sexually explicit act. HSI investigators testified that there was no evidence Sanders ever reported any of the material to law enforcement during the months he was acquiring it.
Dating App Testimony and NCMEC Identification
During the trial, two additional women testified about interacting with Sanders on the dating application Hinge. Both witnesses testified that Sanders quickly shifted conversations toward sexual topics and repeatedly tried to include a toddler in the discussion despite their efforts to redirect him. One woman testified that Sanders sent her a photo of his erect penis that appeared to have been taken inside a child's bedroom, later discussing having an erection while around children.
Images recovered from Sanders' electronic devices were submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which confirmed over 220 images of abuse depicting at least 43 identified minor victims.
The investigation was conducted jointly by the Bixby Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, the Tulsa Police Department, and the Glenpool Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ashley Robert and Matt Cyran prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.