The AI nude photo case that resulted in dozens of student victims at Cascade High School has been adjudicated in juvenile court. The crimes were first discovered in March 2025 when school officials were made aware of the photos. After an investigation involving the Cascade Police Department and the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Criminal Investigation Division, charges were brought against three juvenile suspects in September 2025. The Dubuque County Attorney’s office was not allowed to share those charges because of the ages of the suspects. But the Cascade Pioneer received information on the charges from the parent of a victim. According to that information, the three offenders were charged in juvenile court with one count of sexual exploitation of a minor-cause to engage in act, a Class B felony, sexual exploitation of a minor-promote film, a Class C felony, sexual exploitation of a minor-purchase/possess a depiction, a Class D felony and harassment in the 1st degree, an aggravated misdemeanor, for each victim. Each suspect was charged with 196 counts. Following the trial in juvenile court, Dubuque County Attorney Scott Nelson spoke with The Pioneer about the case last week. Nelson was unable to discuss the court’s findings. Nelson said parents and victims have been made aware of the trial outcome.
