HILLIARD, Ohio (WSYX) — Earlier this month, ABC 6 reported a Columbus man has become the first person in the United States convicted under a new federal law targeting AI-generated sexual content and online abuse.
According to federal prosecutors, James Strahler II pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to multiple cybercrimes involving both real and AI-generated explicit material. His case marks the first conviction under the Take It Down Act, which makes it illegal to share intimate images or deepfake content without consent.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office says from December 2024 until June 2025, Strahler sent harassing messages to at least six adult female victims. These messages included real and AI photos of the victims…