BOCA RATON, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2026) — A Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office investigation tied to a Boca Raton workplace has led to the arrest of a Coral Springs man accused of using artificial intelligence to create and send explicit images of a teenage coworker.
Thomas Christopher Ball, 49, was taken into custody April 17 and booked into the Palm Beach County Jail following an investigation by PBSO. Jail records list his address in Coral Springs and identify PBSO as the arresting agency.
The case stems from incidents reported at Boca West Country Club, where both Ball and the victim worked. According to a probable cause affidavit, the victim is a 17-year-old employee who told deputies the interactions began months earlier after Ball obtained her Instagram account and began messaging her.
Those messages escalated over time. Investigators wrote that Ball called the teen while intoxicated and made sexual comments, including offering money in exchange for her address. The victim later distanced herself, but Ball continued contacting her through Instagram and text messages, questioning why she stopped responding.
The investigation centers on an alleged incident in March, when Ball sent the victim an image through Instagram that had been flagged for nudity. When she opened it, she saw what investigators described as an AI-altered image of herself — taken from a TikTok video — manipulated to depict her nude.
Detectives say Ball claimed to have more images and threatened to expose her if she did not resume speaking with him. The messages continued across multiple platforms, including SMS and WhatsApp, even after the victim blocked him.
According to the affidavit, Ball acknowledged in messages that he knew the victim was a minor. Investigators also documented what they described as grooming behavior, including offering money, attempting emotional manipulation, and continuing contact after being told to stop.
The victim later provided her phone to investigators, who documented messages, images, and financial transactions, including payments sent through Zelle. Detectives said they personally viewed the AI-generated image and confirmed it showed the victim’s identifiable facial features on a nude body that did not belong to her.
A records check linked the phone number used in the communications to a T-Mobile account associated with Ball and to contact information he had provided to Boca West Country Club.
The investigation also uncovered a separate incident in Sunrise, where police responded to a report that Ball had sought access to a firearm while making threats. He was later Baker Acted, according to the affidavit, though investigators noted he denied making those statements.
Based on the evidence, Ball is charged with three felony counts under Florida law:
- Altered sexual depiction of an identifiable person (F.S. 836.13(2))
- Transmission of harmful material to a minor (F.S. 847.0138(3))
- Unlawful use of a two-way communication device (F.S. 934.215)
Jail records show bond was set at $25,000 for each charge, totaling $75,000. Court records indicate Ball had a first appearance on April 18 and remains in custody, with future hearings scheduled in Palm Beach County court.
As the case moves forward, the charges will be reviewed by the State Attorney’s Office. The allegations outlined in the arrest report have not been proven in court.
For residents, the case highlights a growing area of enforcement involving AI-generated images and digital communication. Florida law specifically addresses altered sexual depictions and the transmission of harmful material to minors, particularly when electronic devices are used.
The case remains active within the Palm Beach County court system.
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