Robert Mayberry, 41, of Prospect Park, Pennsylvania, has been charged with offences involving child sexual abuse material and invasion of privacy following a police investigation into photographs and videos allegedly taken at King of Prussia Mall and other public places.
According to a criminal complaint described by NBC10 Philadelphia, investigators allege that some of the material found on Mayberry’s electronic devices had been generated using artificial intelligence. In one alleged incident, police say the AI application Grok was used to produce abusive material from a photograph of a teenage girl taken in a public park.
The allegations have not been proven in court. Mayberry is presumed innocent unless and until convicted.
What police allege
West Goshen Township Police began investigating on 18 June 2026 after a woman reported seeing concerning images and videos on Mayberry’s telephone, according to NBC10’s account of the complaint. Police obtained a search warrant and seized electronic devices, including a telephone, computer and storage media.
Investigators reportedly examined the devices between 26 June and 14 August and found hundreds of images and videos alleged to contain AI-generated child sexual abuse material. They also reported finding material that was not AI-generated and more than 150 covert recordings involving women and teenage girls.
Police allege the photographs and recordings were made in multiple public locations, including King of Prussia Mall, parks, a zoo, an aquarium and shops. NBC10 reported that Mayberry had been employed at the shopping centre.
The alleged use of Grok
In one case outlined in the reported criminal complaint, investigators allege that Mayberry photographed a teenage girl at West Goshen Community Park and used Grok, an AI service developed by xAI, to create child sexual abuse material.
That is an allegation attributed to investigators. Fish 4 News has not independently examined the forensic evidence or established which version of the AI service, settings or safeguards were involved. The allegation should not be interpreted as a judicial finding against Grok or its operator.
What charges does Robert Mayberry face?
NBC10 reports that Mayberry faces multiple counts relating to child sexual abuse material, the depiction of child sexual acts on a computer, invasion of privacy and criminal use of a communications facility. He was arrested on 21 October 2026 and subsequently posted bail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 30 October 2026. At that hearing the court may consider whether sufficient evidence exists for charges to proceed. A preliminary hearing is not a trial or a determination of guilt.
Is AI-generated child abuse material illegal?
Yes. Pennsylvania’s Act 125 of 2024 expressly amended the state’s criminal law to include artificially generated child sexual abuse material in specified offences. The law covers realistically depicted abuse that did not occur in real life, subject to the requirements of the legislation.
The FBI has also warned that child sexual abuse material created or manipulated with generative AI can violate federal criminal law. The fact that an image was produced digitally does not by itself place it outside criminal law.
What remains unknown
- Whether further charges will be brought as the police investigation continues.
- The full technical evidence supporting the allegation that Grok was used.
- Whether the AI service’s operator has been asked to comment specifically on this case.
- The outcome of the preliminary hearing scheduled for 30 October.
The police allegations were first detailed in reporting by NBC10 Philadelphia, with KYW Newsradio also reporting the case. NBC10 said it sought comment from Mayberry’s lawyer and the shopping centre.
Watch: NBC10 Philadelphia’s report
Video: NBC10 Philadelphia / Deanna Durante. The report contains allegations that have not been proven in court.
