Man, 69, charged with possession of AI-generated child pornography: Halifax police

A shoulder patch on the uniform of a Halifax Regional Police officer is seen in Halifax on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

Halifax Regional Police says a 69-year-old Halifax man is facing charges after allegedly creating images depicting child pornography using artificial intelligence.

Police say investigators in the Internet Child Exploitation Unit received information that a person in Halifax was using artificial intelligence software to create and share child sexual abuse material in September 2025.

Investigators conducted a search of an address in Halifax on Tuesday, where they arrested the suspect and seized electronic devices for forensic analysis.

“While the investigation is ongoing, evidence at this stage does not yet suggest any real children were used or harmed in the creation of these materials,” read a news release from Halifax police.

Michael Burke Leblanc appeared in Halifax provincial court on Wednesday to face charges of:

• distribution of child sexual abuse and exploitation material
• possession of child sexual abuse and exploitation material
• making child sexual abuse and exploitation material

Police are asking anyone with information on child pornography to contact police at 902-490-5020 or by using Cybertip.

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