Introduction to the Case
A Houston business owner, Jorge "George" Abrego, was arrested on Tuesday morning after a monthslong investigation by the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. Abrego, the co-owner of HTX Tactical, is charged with online impersonation and unlawful production of sexually explicit videos. The charges are connected to impersonating a Houston internet influencer and creating fake nude images of the woman.
The Allegations
Abrego allegedly created fake TikTok accounts impersonating a Houston-based online influencer with more than 300,000 Instagram followers and more than 90,000 TikTok followers. He used similar usernames with slight variations, according to records. The victim told HCSO that Abrego has expressed an interest in dating her and is “in love with her,” according to records. He admitted to investigators that he also created fake nude images of her, which were made with artificial intelligence and show the victim appearing to be engaged in sexual conduct.
The Investigation
Investigators executed several grand jury subpoenas to track down the account user information for the fake accounts, cell phone and email subscriber information, as well as IP address details, in order to trace the fake accounts back to Abrego. The phone number used to create a fake account is the number registered to Abrego, investigators found. The IP address was registered to HTX Tactical, records also showed. Abrego was arrested at 5401 Mitchelldale Street, the address for HTX Tactical.
The Victim’s Statement
The victim told deputies that she’s scared for her life, has suffered financial loss, and that the false and potentially defamatory content under her likeness cause injury to her personal and professional reputation, according to records. She also stated that she has never posted nude images on the internet, records show. In one instance, AI-created videos showed a girl wearing green lingerie and bent over a table with her face photoshopped on. Another TikTok video showed the victim topless with flowers over her nipples, according to court records.
Reaction from HTX Tactical
After Abrego’s arrest, HTX Tactical co-owner Javier Garcia released a statement. “We want to emphasize that these are allegations and Mr. Abrego is presumed innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law. While this situation does not reflect the company’s values or its day-to-day operations, we take these allegations very seriously,” a portion of the statement read. “HTX Tactical is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and compliance, and we are carefully reviewing internal processes to ensure that our business remains focused on serving the needs of our customers and community,” the statement continued.
Conclusion
The arrest of Jorge "George" Abrego is a serious matter, and the allegations against him are disturbing. The use of artificial intelligence to create fake nude images of someone without their consent is a form of harassment and a violation of their privacy. The fact that Abrego allegedly created fake social media accounts impersonating the victim and posted these images online makes the situation even more serious. The case is a reminder of the importance of online safety and the need for individuals to be aware of the potential risks and consequences of their actions online. As the case moves forward, it will be important to follow the developments and see how the legal system handles these allegations.
