Federal Charges Filed Against Two Men Over AI Deepfake Pornography
By John Nada·May 22, 2026·4 min read
Two men face federal charges for AI deepfake porn, spotlighting the Take It Down Act's role in regulating non-consensual imagery.
In the age of rapid technological advancements, the line between creation and exploitation has never been thinner. This week, that line was crossed as two men were charged under the Take It Down Act for distributing AI-generated deepfake pornography.
Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn charged Arturo Hernandez of Texas and Cornelius Shannon of New Jersey. These men allegedly used AI to produce and share explicit images of women without their consent, a violation of the 2025 Take It Down Act, according to Decrypt. The law, signed by President Donald Trump, criminalizes the publication of non-consensual intimate imagery, including AI-generated content, and mandates that platforms remove such content within 48 hours.
Hernandez and Shannon stand accused of posting thousands of AI-manipulated images, including those featuring well-known public figures and high school graduates, on various websites. The images reportedly garnered millions of views, indicating the massive reach and potentially devastating impact of this technology when misused.
According to court documents, the defendants altered real, non-explicit photographs into sexually explicit content using advanced digital tools. The repercussions of their actions highlight the destructive potential of AI when wielded unethically. U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella emphasized the gravity of these actions, noting that deepfake pornography isn't a victimless crime but an invasion of privacy and dignity.
The Take It Down Act, which was enacted into law in May 2025, serves as a critical tool in combating the misuse of AI technologies. It makes it a federal crime to knowingly publish or threaten to publish non-consensual intimate imagery, regardless of whether it is authentic or AI-generated. The legislation also imposes a strict requirement for online platforms to remove reported content within 48 hours, aiming to mitigate the harm caused by the rapid spread of such imagery.
This case is not the first enforcement action under the new law. In April, James Strahler II from Ohio became the first person convicted under the Take It Down Act. He pleaded guilty to creating and distributing over 700 AI-generated sexually explicit images, including those of minors. This conviction set a precedent and demonstrated the law's reach in addressing the challenges posed by AI-generated content.
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The rapid deployment of AI technologies in creative and professional domains has myriad benefits, from automating labor-intensive tasks to revolutionizing industries. However, when these technologies are weaponized, the conversation shifts from progress to protection, underscoring the need for stringent regulations and ethical guidelines.
While Hernandez and Shannon face up to two years in prison, their cases serve as a stark reminder of the unresolved tension between innovation and regulation. The Take It Down Act, with its bipartisan support, represents a significant step in legal frameworks adapting to technological realities. Still, as FBI Assistant Director James Barnacle Jr. stated, using technology to victimize is neither innovative nor acceptable—it is criminal.
The broader landscape includes similar laws enacted across states like California, Texas, Florida, and Pennsylvania. These legislative efforts reflect a growing recognition of the need to safeguard individuals against technological abuses. As courts continue to address lawsuits involving non-consensual AI-generated images, the legal system's response will likely shape the future interplay of technology and privacy rights.
These state laws complement federal efforts, creating a multi-layered legal framework aimed at curbing the spread of non-consensual imagery. As technology evolves, so too must the legal systems that aim to protect individuals from its potential harms. The legal battles and legislative developments around deepfake technology will undoubtedly influence how society balances technological innovation with personal privacy and security.
The cases against Hernandez and Shannon highlight a disturbing trend in the misuse of AI technologies. By altering real, non-explicit photographs into sexually explicit content, they exploited the capabilities of AI in a manner that inflicted significant emotional harm on their victims. This predatory conduct represents a disturbing abuse of technology that violates individuals' privacy, dignity, and security.
The Take It Down Act's bipartisan support underscores a collective acknowledgment of the urgent need to address these issues. As the legal system continues to adapt to the challenges posed by AI technologies, the importance of ethical considerations and robust regulatory frameworks cannot be overstated. The actions taken against Hernandez and Shannon mark a pivotal moment in the ongoing effort to protect individuals from the harmful misuse of emerging technologies.