Former Lethbridge coach awaits sentencing in AI-image case

A former Lethbridge girls’ football coach is awaiting a judge’s decision on his sentence after pleading guilty to creating and possessing child pornography involving AI-generated images of some of his players. Justin Tillery appeared in court in Lethbridge on October 30, where the Crown prosecutor requested a two-year prison sentence. His defense lawyer, however, argued that a sentence served in the community would be sufficient.

Tillery was initially arrested in July 2025 and faced several charges, including making, distributing, possessing and accessing child pornography, as well as transmitting an intimate image without consent. He ultimately pleaded guilty to two of those offences. The judge is expected to reserve the sentencing decision.