Take It Down Act: Landmark Case Results in First US Conviction
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Columbus, Ohio man has pleaded guilty to federal cybercrime charges, marking the first conviction under the Take It Down Act. James Strahler II, 37, admitted to a disturbing pattern of cyberstalking, creating and distributing obscene material, including sexually explicit images and videos – both real and AI-generated – and threatening multiple individuals.
The Take It Down Act: A New Era in Online Privacy
The Take It Down Act, signed into law in May 2025, criminalizes the nonconsensual online publication of intimate visual depictions of individuals. This includes authentic images and depictions created using artificial intelligence (AI). The law aims to protect individuals from the growing threat of online harassment and abuse facilitated by increasingly sophisticated AI technology.
Details of the Case
The case originated with a victim contacting the Hilliard Police Department in 2025 regarding threatening and harassing messages, which included nude photos of herself, some of which were explicitly AI-generated. Strahler initially admitted responsibility and was released. However, the harassment continued three months later, prompting further investigation.
Investigators obtained a search warrant for Strahler’s phone, uncovering evidence of calls, messages, and images used to harass the victim and others. This led to federal charges and his arrest in June 2025.
A Pattern of Abuse
Between December 2024 and June 2025, Strahler targeted at least six women with harassing messages containing nude images, both real and AI-generated. In at least one instance, he distributed these images to the victim’s coworkers and family members. The messages also included explicit threats of rape.
Exploitation of Children
The investigation revealed a particularly disturbing aspect of Strahler’s crimes. He posted online AI-generated obscenities depicting children. He created over 700 images of both real victims, including boys from his community, and animated figures, posting them on a website dedicated to child sexual abuse. Investigators also discovered 2,400 explicit images and videos on his phone, including child sexual abuse material.
A Strong Statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office
“We believe Strahler is the first person in the United States to be convicted under the Take It Down Act,” stated U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II in a press release. “We will not tolerate the abhorrent practice of posting and publicizing AI-generated intimate images of real individuals without consent. And we are committed to using every tool at our disposal to hold accountable offenders like Strahler, who seek to intimidate and harass others by creating and circulating this disturbing content.”
Strahler’s sentencing is pending.
Resources
If you or someone you know is a victim of cyberstalking or online abuse, here are some resources:
