Overview
- Vero Beach police arrested 37-year-old Peter Solomon Ruma and charged him with eight counts, and he is being held at the Indian River County jail on a $1 million bond, a move reported Thursday.
- Investigators allege Ruma used artificial intelligence together with photos taken from social media and other online sources to create and distribute sexually explicit altered images without consent.
- Detectives executed search warrants on Ruma’s home and electronic devices and say a forensic exam recovered evidence they link to the creation and promotion of the altered images.
- The current charges cover incidents from June through August 2026 involving one identified victim, but detectives have flagged several additional possible victims and say more charges may follow as the probe continues.
- Local agencies including the Vero Beach Police Department, the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, and the State Attorney’s Office are assisting investigators and are asking anyone with information to contact Detective Matakaetis or Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers.