A 37-year-old man from Columbus, in the state of Ohio, became the first person convicted under Take It Down Act, a federal law that criminalizes the publication of non-consensual intimate images, including deepfakes generated by artificial intelligence. James Strahler II pleaded guilty this Tuesday in federal court to crimes involving cyberstalking, producing obscene child sexual abuse material and publishing digital forgeries. The accusation was announced by Departamento of Justiça of Estados Unidos.
Authorities reported that Strahler used AI tools to create explicit images and videos without the consent of adult and minor victims. Ele was arrested in June 2025 and admitted to sending messages with real and AI-generated photos to at least six adult women. In one case, it distributed an AI-created video that showed an adult victim engaging in sexual acts with her own father, sharing the content with her co-workers.
Creation and distribution of content involving minors
Strahler took photos of boys he knew in the local community and superimposed their faces onto the bodies of adults or other children to create scenes of sexual acts, including with family members. Ele published more than 700 images and animations on a website dedicated to child sexual abuse. Investigators found on his cell phone about 2,400 files with nudity, violence or AI-generated child sexual abuse material.
The defendant downloaded more than 24 AI platforms and more than 100 web-based templates to produce this content. The actions were initially reported to local police at Hilliard and the county at Delaware before being forwarded to the FBI. The case involves both adult and minor victims, with the use of technology to create and disseminate material without authorization.
Details of the federal investigation
Prosecutors detailed that the harassing messages sent by Strahler included threats and explicit images. Ele combined real photos of victims with changes generated by artificial intelligence to intensify the impact. The investigation revealed the storage of a large volume of files on personal devices, demonstrating the systematic use of digital tools.
Authorities highlighted that the material aimed at minors was created from public or well-known images in the region. Strahler posted this content on specific platforms focused on child abuse. The volume of files recovered indicates planning and repetition of conduct over months.
Background of Take It Down Act
Take It Down Act was signed into law by President Donald Trump in May 2025. The law makes it a federal crime to publish non-consensual intimate images, including deepfakes produced by AI, and requires online platforms to remove the material within 48 hours of notifying victims. The text was approved in Senado by a unanimous vote and in Câmara by 409 to 2 votes.
The First Lady Melania Trump publicly advocated for passage of the legislation as part of initiatives against cyberbullying. Ela issued a statement celebrating the conviction as an advance in the protection of victims. The law provides for fines and penalties of up to two years in prison for cases involving adult victims and up to three years when involving minors.
Reactions and broader legislative context
The press secretary at Casa Branca, Karoline Leavitt, commented that the conviction represents a significant achievement for the first lady. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas introduced the bill in June 2024. The legislation gained bipartisan support in Congresso.
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children recorded more than 1.5 million reports related to generative AI and child sexual exploitation throughout 2025. Esse number reflects the rapid growth in the use of artificial intelligence tools in the creation of illicit material. Outros projects, such as ENFORCE Act, approved Senado in December 2025, seek to equate penalties for AI-generated content with traditional child sexual abuse material.
- The law requires platforms to establish clear processes for removing reported content.
- American states have already approved more than 45 local laws on deepfakes, some focused on protecting minors.
- Federal investigations continue to prioritize cases that combine cyberstalking with AI production of material.
The defendant awaits sentencing on a date yet to be defined by the federal court. Departamento of Justiça reinforced the commitment to use all legal tools available against those who create and disseminate this type of content without consent.