CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte child psychiatrist, convicted of using artificial intelligence to create child pornography, was sentenced 40 years in prison Wednesday.

What You Need To Know

  • Forty-one-year-old David Tatum was charged with sexually exploiting children and using AI to create child pornography

  • Evidence showed Tatum used AI to digitally alter the clothing on children in photos

  • After his release, he will have to register as a sex offender in every state and jurisdiction he works and lives in

The announcement came Wednesday from U.S. Attorney Dena J. King. The charges against David Tatum, 41, come after he digitally altered the clothing in images of children making them sexually explicit.

“As a child psychiatrist, Tatum knew the damaging, long-lasting impact sexual exploitation has on the wellbeing of victimized children,” King said.

Evidence presented during his trial showed Tatum possessed photos and videos between 2016 and 2021, including videos he secretly recorded of a patient getting undressed and showering. He was convicted by a federal jury in Charlotte on one count of child pornography, one count of transportation of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography in May.

Robert M. DeWitt, FBI special agent in charge, also released a statement describing the findings as horrific and hard to believe.  

“And when the evidence proves that person is a doctor entrusted to help children through difficult mental health situations, it is inconceivable,” DeWitt said.

Tatum was ordered to pay restitution in addition to his sentence. He was also fined a $100 special assessment fee for each conviction and special assessments totaling $99,000 under the Amy, Vicky and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act (AVAA).

Tatum will be required to register as a sex offender in any state he works and lives in after his release. He is also sentenced to 30 years of supervised release.