ABC 6 On Your Side Update 4/28/26: According to Hilliard’s Community Relations Director, James Strahler is currently being held in Youngstown as a federal inmate.
HILLIARD, Ohio (WSYX) Earlier this month, ABC 6 reported that a Columbus man had 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.
The law was recently highlighted during the April 8 White House press briefing by Karoline Leavitt, who called it “landmark legislation” and noted that Melania Trump played a key role in supporting its passage. The law is designed to protect victims from AI-generated sexual images, cyberstalking, and threats.
The case started with a report to the Hilliard Police Department. Detective Kristen Winter led the early investigation before the case was handed over to federal authorities, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Winter primarily investigates menacing-by-stalking, sex crimes, and death cases.
Det. Winter explained that the case began as a menacing-by-stalking charge. But as investigators uncovered more evidence, including AI-generated content, the case was escalated to the federal level. “Once this went through the court system, I saw this is above the scope that we have for the laws that we have in place. At that time, we didn’t have a sextortion law. The charge was dissemination of illicit images, which is a misdemeanor of the first degree. It either falls under menacing-by-stalking or a pandering charge. The federal court system does have artificial intelligence charges, and that’s how I was put in contact with the federal prosecutors.”
Prosecutors say Strahler used artificial intelligence tools to create highly realistic fake sexual images and videos of people he knew, including both adults and children.
In one example, he created explicit fake videos of the victim engaging in incest and sent them to her coworkers. Authorities say he generated more than 700 images and had thousands more files on his devices.
Investigators also found that he used the faces of children from his community to create disturbing and explicit content, which was then shared online.
Detective Winter warned about how dangerous and convincing this technology can be:
“The images are scary and very realistic,” Winter added. “It does have the ability to ruin people’s lives.”
Law enforcement officials say this case highlights how quickly artificial intelligence is evolving, with laws still catching up.
Winter urged parents and adults to stay aware of online activity and be aware of who they surround themselves with.
“People that have bad intentions are going to find it,” she added. “A lot of normal people should be checking your kids’ phones to see what they’re doing and what they’re looking at. Same with adults.”
Det. Winter added she’s seen a rise in domestic violence calls and reports in recent years.
A graduate of Hilliard Davidson High School, Ohio University records show Strahler played football for the Bobcats as a linebacker in the early 2000s. Strahler is currently being held at the Franklin County Jail and is awaiting sentencing.
“This is a really big win,” Winter said. “The court systems are catching up. I hope Strahler’s case makes an example for people to think twice. The damage that you’re doing can’t always be undone. What you are doing is a crime.”
Det. Winter emphasized the DEFIANCE Act, a proposed bipartisan U.S. federal law designed to allow victims of non-consensual, AI-generated sexually explicit deepfakes to sue perpetrators in civil court.
“If the DEFIANCE Act passes, you can go after someone civilly that has created that content or allowed that person to post it on their platform,” she explained.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence or the Take It Down Act, call your local police department or visit Stop Non-Consensual Intimate Image Abuse to report a crime, or for additional resources and assistance.
