Utah man arrested for editing kids’ faces onto inappropriate photos

CONTENT WARNING: This article contains information about alleged child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Report child pornography to law enforcement by contacting the ICAC Tip Line at (801) 281-1211 or your local law enforcement agency.

WEBER COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) — A West Haven man was arrested for allegedly using an online tool to edit children’s faces onto inappropriate photos, according to the Weber County Sheriff’s Office.

Sean Layton, 46, of West Haven, was booked into jail on 10 counts of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor and 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.

Detectives with the sheriff’s office were first alerted to the situation via a cybertip from the online photo editing tool Layton was using. The tip involved suspected child sexual abuse material (CSAM), which has also been referred to as child pornography.

Detectives found several CSAM files manufactured by the account holder, who was later identified as Layton.

“Through the investigation, detectives also learned that the suspect was sexually exploiting children, both local and throughout the country, by editing their faces onto CSAM,” the sheriff’s office said in a press release.

Officials said some of the children’s faces that were used were taken from public social media accounts.

“The Weber County Sheriff’s Office reminds parents and caregivers to privatize access to any account featuring photos of their children as a general safety precaution,” the sheriff’s office said.

Detectives with the sheriff’s office and members of the Utah Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force served a search warrant on the suspect’s home on March 4, 2025. Before serving the search warrant, officials found evidence related to the case and “obtained a confession” from Layton.

Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.