Ohio Man First Convicted Under Federal Deepfake Law
James Strahler II, 37, of Ohio became the first person convicted under the Take It Down Act, a federal law criminalizing nonconsensual intimate deepfakes. He pleaded guilty Tuesday to cyberstalking, producing child sexual abuse material, and publishing digital forgeries-the statute's term for deepfakes.
Strahler used AI to create explicit images and videos of both adult and minor victims. He posted over 700 images to a website dedicated to child sexual abuse material and maintained 2,400 additional images and videos on his phone depicting child sexual abuse material, nudity, or violence.
He sent nude images-both real and AI-generated-to at least six adult women. In one case, he created an AI video of an adult victim engaged in sex acts with her father and circulated it to her co-workers.
What the Law Does
President Trump signed the Take It Down Act in May 2025. The law makes it a federal crime to publish nonconsensual explicit imagery, including AI-made deepfakes. Violations carry fines and up to two years in prison for cases involving adults, or up to three years for cases involving minors.
The statute also requires online platforms to remove reported nonconsensual material within 48 hours. By next month, platforms must establish formal processes for victims to report such content.
The Senate passed the bill unanimously in 2024. The House approved it 409-2.
The Broader Problem
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received more than 1.5 million tips related to generative AI and child sexual exploitation in 2025. The volume reflects a years-long escalation in AI-generated abuse material.
Congress is advancing additional legislation. The ENFORCE Act, which would treat creators and distributors of AI-generated child sexual abuse material the same as those producing non-AI material, passed the Senate unanimously in December but has not progressed in the House.
At least 45 states have passed local laws addressing AI deepfakes, some specifically targeting minors.
For Legal Professionals
This conviction establishes the first federal precedent under the Take It Down Act. Lawyers handling cybercrime, technology law, or criminal defense should review the case details and statutory language as they apply to client matters.
Learn more about AI for Legal professionals and how emerging AI legislation affects practice.
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