First Conviction Under Melania Trump's 'Take It Down Act' Targets Cyberstalker

The law championed by the First Lady has led to the conviction of a perpetrator who used AI to create non-consensual explicit images and threaten victims.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 4:33pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a broken computer mouse or keyboard key against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the harsh realities of AI-enabled cybercrimes.The first conviction under Melania Trump's 'Take It Down Act' highlights the grim reality of AI-enabled cybercrimes targeting victims.Columbus Today

A 37-year-old Ohio man has become the first person in the United States to be convicted under the 'Take It Down Act', a law championed by First Lady Melania Trump that targets cybercriminals who use artificial intelligence technology to create non-consensual sexually explicit images and threaten victims. James Strahler II pleaded guilty to a range of cybercrimes, including using AI to generate pornographic videos and images depicting minors and adults without their consent.

Why it matters

The case highlights the growing threat of AI-powered cybercrime and the need for legislation to protect victims. Melania Trump's 'Take It Down Act' aims to give law enforcement more tools to go after perpetrators who leverage emerging technologies to harass and exploit people.

The details

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Strahler used AI to create pornographic videos depicting an adult victim engaged in sex acts with her father, as well as images of minor boys from his community engaged in sexual acts with their mothers and grandmothers. Strahler also threatened violence against numerous victims as part of his campaign of harassment.

  • On April 7, 2026, Strahler pleaded guilty to the cybercrimes.
  • The 'Take It Down Act' was signed into law in May 2025 during the second Trump administration.

The players

Melania Trump

The First Lady who championed the 'Take It Down Act' to combat non-consensual use of AI technology for cybercrime and harassment.

Dominick S. Gerace II

The U.S. Attorney who announced the first conviction under the 'Take It Down Act'.

James Strahler II

A 37-year-old Ohio man who pleaded guilty to using AI to create non-consensual sexually explicit images and threaten victims.

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What they’re saying

“Today marks the first conviction under the Take It Down Act – protecting victims from non-consensual AI-generated sexually explicit images, cyberstalking, and threats of violence.”

— Melania Trump, First Lady

“We believe Strahler is the first person in the United States to be convicted under the Take It Down Act.”

— Dominick S. Gerace II, U.S. Attorney

What’s next

Strahler will be sentenced on May 15, 2026 for his crimes.

The takeaway

This case demonstrates the importance of Melania Trump's 'Take It Down Act' in empowering law enforcement to combat the emerging threat of AI-powered cybercrime and protect victims from harassment, exploitation, and abuse.