Ohio Man First in U.S. Convicted Under Federal Revenge Porn Law

James Strahler used AI-generated explicit images to harass and intimidate victims.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 7:42pm

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An extreme close-up of a shattered smartphone screen reflecting a distorted, AI-generated image of a person's face, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the use of technology to harass and intimidate victims.The conviction of James Strahler highlights the growing threat of AI-powered 'revenge porn' and the federal government's efforts to combat this emerging form of digital abuse.Columbus Today

James Strahler, 37, of Upper Arlington, Ohio, has pleaded guilty to cyberstalking, producing obscene visual representations of child sexual abuse, and publication of digital forgeries. Strahler is believed to be the first person in the nation convicted under the federal Take It Down Act, a 2025 law that criminalizes the use of AI-generated, sexually explicit images to harass individuals.

Why it matters

The Take It Down Act was enacted to address the growing problem of 'revenge porn' and the use of AI-generated explicit content to intimidate and abuse victims. Strahler's conviction sets a precedent and demonstrates the federal government's commitment to prosecuting these types of crimes.

The details

According to court records, Strahler had more than 24 AI platforms and 100 AI web-based models installed on his phone, which he used to create explicit images and videos of his victims. Between December 2024 and June 2025, Strahler sent messages to at least six adult females, including three former romantic partners, that included both real and AI-generated nude images. In one instance, Strahler created a video using AI to show one of the victims engaged in sexual acts with her father, which he then sent to her coworkers.

  • In January 2025, Strahler had been charged in Franklin County Municipal Court for similar alleged conduct and was on pre-trial release for those charges at the time federal charges were filed in June 2025.
  • On April 7, 2026, Strahler pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Columbus.

The players

James Strahler

A 37-year-old man from Upper Arlington, Ohio, who pleaded guilty to cyberstalking, producing obscene visual representations of child sexual abuse, and publication of digital forgeries.

Dominick Gerace

The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, who stated that Strahler is believed to be the first person convicted under a provision of the Take It Down Act.

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What they’re saying

“We will not tolerate the abhorrent practice of posting and publicizing AI-generated intimate images of real individuals without consent. We are committed to using every tool at our disposal to hold accountable offenders like Strahler.”

— Dominick Gerace, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio

What’s next

Strahler will be sentenced at a later date.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing threat of AI-generated 'revenge porn' and the federal government's efforts to crack down on these types of crimes through the Take It Down Act. It serves as a warning to those who would use emerging technologies to harass and abuse others.