By admin 
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – A Tucson man caught with thousands of child porn photos and videos told investigators he didn’t understand why it was such a big deal, as they were “just images.”
Darrin Russell McGarrah, 52, is facing at least 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. As of Thursday, July 30, he was being held on a $50,000 bond.
According to court documents, the investigation began in January when a tip was made to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
The Tucson Police Department found several electronic devices at McGarrah’s home that contained more than 1.7 million porn images and videos. While a majority of those videos and photos were legal porn, investigators found thousands of real and AI-generated child sexual abuse material.
McGarrah admitted to using Perchance AI to create a lot of the CSAM but told investigators “he did not believe the images caused harm to anyone.”
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He admitted to using AI since 2023 and downloading CSAM for two decades.
During his initial court appearance Wednesday night, the defense said McGarrah doesn’t have a criminal history and has significant ties to the Tucson community. His preliminary hearing has been set for 1:30 p.m. Aug. 10.
The state had asked for a $500,000 bond, but the judge set it at only $50,000.
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