A man accused of using artificial intelligence to create a deepfake video that misled a Seminole County deputy has been arrested in Puerto Rico by U.S. Marshals. The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office said the incident occurred on March 24, when 22-year-old Alexis Martínez-Arizala approached a deputy inside a store in Lake Mary. Martínez-Arizala claimed he saw multiple people breaking into the deputy’s car and showed a three-second video on his cellphone as proof. However, investigators later determined the video was an AI-generated deepfake and that the alleged break-ins never happened. Dr. Chrissann Ruehle, an assistant professor of AI and management at Florida Gulf Coast University, said the misuse of artificial intelligence is concerning. “This really is a warning sign,” Ruehle said. She explained the challenges law enforcement faces with deepfake technology. “AI can now create content that looks real enough that a police officer that is facing an emergency situation has to make a split-second decision,” Ruehle said. The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office has not publicly released the video, citing safety concerns. Sheriff Dennis Lemma issued a statement addressing the risks posed by fabricated videos. “These fabricated videos can damage reputations, create unnecessary tensions, and raise real safety concerns,” Lemma said. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office shared a similar message on social media, warning that such videos are not harmless pranks. Ruehle emphasized the importance of education in addressing the misuse of AI. “We need to take a step back, and we need to look and see, is that authentic? Is it not?” Ruehle said. Investigators said Martínez-Arizala also posted the deepfake video online in an attempt to gain attention and go viral. Once extradited from Puerto Rico, he will be held on a $7,000 bond in Seminole County.
A man accused of using artificial intelligence to create a deepfake video that misled a Seminole County deputy has been arrested in Puerto Rico by U.S. Marshals.
The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office said the incident occurred on March 24, when 22-year-old Alexis Martínez-Arizala approached a deputy inside a store in Lake Mary.
Martínez-Arizala claimed he saw multiple people breaking into the deputy’s car and showed a three-second video on his cellphone as proof.
However, investigators later determined the video was an AI-generated deepfake and that the alleged break-ins never happened.
Dr. Chrissann Ruehle, an assistant professor of AI and management at Florida Gulf Coast University, said the misuse of artificial intelligence is concerning.
“This really is a warning sign,” Ruehle said.
She explained the challenges law enforcement faces with deepfake technology.
“AI can now create content that looks real enough that a police officer that is facing an emergency situation has to make a split-second decision,” Ruehle said.
The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office has not publicly released the video, citing safety concerns. Sheriff Dennis Lemma issued a statement addressing the risks posed by fabricated videos.
“These fabricated videos can damage reputations, create unnecessary tensions, and raise real safety concerns,” Lemma said.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office shared a similar message on social media, warning that such videos are not harmless pranks.
Ruehle emphasized the importance of education in addressing the misuse of AI.
“We need to take a step back, and we need to look and see, is that authentic? Is it not?” Ruehle said.
Investigators said Martínez-Arizala also posted the deepfake video online in an attempt to gain attention and go viral. Once extradited from Puerto Rico, he will be held on a $7,000 bond in Seminole County.
