Nebraska deputy fired after AI-generated nude images investigation

Deputy terminated following cyber tip and internal investigation

A 23-year-old Douglas County Sheriff's deputy in Nebraska was fired in May following an internal investigation that uncovered multiple serious policy violations, including allegations he used artificial intelligence to create nude images of female colleagues and minors.

Nolan Dudik was terminated on May 5 after investigators discovered he allegedly manipulated photographs using AI technology. The investigation began when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a cyber tip in December linking Dudik's iCloud account to images of potential child sexual abuse material.

Sheriff Aaron Hanson immediately placed Dudik on administrative leave and ordered an internal investigation after learning of the allegations.

Allegations span multiple violations

According to authorities, the investigation revealed Dudik allegedly took photographs of on-duty female deputies and used AI to generate nude images. More seriously, he allegedly photographed juvenile female members of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office Explorer program and similarly manipulated those images using AI.

Additional allegations include possession of child abuse materials on his personal phone during a timeframe when the device was confirmed to be in his possession. While on administrative leave, Dudik allegedly attempted to purchase alcohol while on-duty and in uniform, consumed alcohol during deputy hours to the point of heavy intoxication, and caused a disturbance at his residence that resulted in a 911 call. During that incident, he allegedly threatened to kill any law enforcement officer who responded.

Appeal hearing scheduled

On Tuesday, Dudik appealed his termination to the Douglas County Sheriff's Merit Commission, claiming the sheriff's office lacked sufficient evidence and violated his rights. The sheriff's office denied the appeal based on the investigation's findings. The Merit Commission agreed to schedule a hearing between now and October to consider Dudik's appeal.

Dudik joined the Douglas County Sheriff's Office in 2023. In July 2025, he was assigned as a school resource officer at Westview High School.

Why it matters

This case highlights emerging concerns about artificial intelligence tools being misused to create non-consensual intimate imagery, particularly when the technology is weaponized against colleagues and minors in positions of trust. The incident raises questions about screening protocols for law enforcement officers with access to vulnerable populations and the need for policies addressing AI-generated imagery in workplace misconduct investigations. As AI image generation becomes more accessible, law enforcement agencies may need to develop specific guidelines addressing this technology's potential for abuse.

Details of the investigation were first reported by WOWT.