League City Police Department to review policies after altering theft suspect’s mugshot using AI

LEAGUE CITY, Texas (KTRK) — A woman accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of beauty products from Ulta Beauty stores in several counties is now part of a larger discussion about how police use artificial intelligence.

Carmen Fernandez was recently arrested by the League City Police Department and charged with organized retail theft. However, it was her shot, not the charges, that caught people’s attention.

League City Police shared a digitally enhanced snapshot created using Canva software because the original image was too blurry. The edited image was sent out in press releases and posted on Facebook, raising questions about transparency and how police should use artificial intelligence.

Sgt. Jason Gray of the League City Police Department said the enhancement was only to make the image clearer, not change Fernandez’s appearance.

“The problem with the photo is that when our detention officers took the photo, it was blurry, and it was not checked before it was put into the system,” Gray said. “So Officer Ortega updated the photo and clarified it so it wouldn’t be blurry for people to see.”

However, legal experts warn that the use of AI, even with the best intentions, could cause problems.

Public confidence in both law enforcement and new technology is already fragile, said Vic Vig, vice president of the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association.

“At a time like this, when people don’t trust what they see on Facebook, they don’t trust what they see online, they don’t trust AI, they don’t trust the police — why would the police use AI to enhance the image they put on Facebook?” Fig said. “This doesn’t make sense.”

League City Police said they are aware of these concerns and do not have formal rules for the use of AI tools yet, but they plan to review and possibly develop guidelines in the future.

Gray said the department will begin retraining prison staff to take clear photos from the beginning, so digital enhancement won’t be needed as often.

“It’s a new technology, and people are still wary of it,” Gray said. “There are a lot of things that could go wrong or could be interpreted incorrectly.”

Police say they will now review how the new technologies are used in the department.

Fernandez remains in the Galveston County Jail while her case moves forward.