Northwest Houston gun store owner arrested for deepfake nudes of TikTok influencer

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A northwest Houston gun store owner is accused of using artificial intelligence to create nude photos and videos of a TikTok influencer.

HTX Tactical co-owner, Jorge Abrego, 37, was arrested at his business Tuesday morning after a months-long investigation by the Harris County Sheriff's Office.

The victim, who has more than 90,000 followers on TikTok, contacted the sheriff's office in February to report TikTok accounts she said were impersonating her.

In June, she reached out again to report deepfake nudes on the fake accounts.

One photo reportedly showed a fake version of the victim with heart emojis covering her breasts and pubic area.

Another purported to show her in lingerie and thigh-high stockings with a message reading 'other services available' along with a bag of money.

Investigators searched both Abrego's phones and say they found him signed into the fake TikTok accounts.

They say they also found more than 50 fake nude photos and videos. Some, they say, had been altered with artificial intelligence to make it look like the victim was engaged in sex acts.

Deputies say Abrego admitted to creating the deepfakes and fake accounts in an Aug. 15 interview.

The victim told investigators Abrego had told her he was in love with her and wanted to date her.

Deepfake pornography has been illegal in Texas since 2023, but it's only a misdemeanor with up to a year in jail.

Abrego's more serious charge is felony online impersonation for creating the fake TikTok accounts.

Records show he's being held on a $100 bond for the deepfakes, while a bond has yet to be set for the impersonation charge.

He's due in court Wednesday morning.

HTX Tactical released a statement acknowledging Abrego's arrest but stressing that he's innocent until proven guilty.

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