Santa Ana police are continuing to investigate a false report that a deadly African viper was spotted in a residential neighborhood, after the person who made the claim admitted the image was generated by artificial intelligence.
The original report came in on Monday, stating that a Gaboon viper, a snake capable of delivering a fatal bite, was seen in a tree near Main Street and Edinger Avenue. This prompted a response from both the Santa Ana Police Department and professional snake-wranglers, who arrived to try and secure the animal.
Joel Ciprian, a Santa Ana resident, initially told CBS News on Monday that he had seen the snake at a neighbor’s home and insisted the image was not AI-generated. However, the situation shifted significantly on Tuesday. Detectives following up on the report spoke with Ciprian again.
“During the follow-up investigation, he admitted the photo was AI-generated and that the report was false,” police stated in a social media post. The Santa Ana Police Department spokesperson confirmed that while there had been initial speculation the photo might be AI-generated, the department was obligated to investigate fully.
“SAPD had to investigate and follow up to confirm what actually happened,” the department’s statement read, noting that AI-generated images can appear very real. The police expressed concern that “when false information is shared as fact, it can quickly create unnecessary fear, confusion, and concern in our community.”
No arrests have been made in connection with the incident yet, as no formal police reports have been filed, according to SAPD Officer Natalie Garcia speaking to CBS News. However, the investigation by police is ongoing.
Knowingly filing a false police report is illegal in California and can carry significant penalties, including jail time. It remains unclear at this time if the individual who made the false report will face criminal repercussions.
Gaboon vipers are known for their distinctive appearance, growing four to five feet long with a geometric pattern of light and dark brown, pink, and purple hues, featuring diamonds and stripes along their backs. These snakes are native to rainforests across Central, West, and East Africa. In California, possessing or transporting a Gaboon viper requires a special permit. While bites from these vipers are rare, a bite from one can indeed be fatal, according to information from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.
