Federal prosecutors have indicted two individuals accused of using artificial intelligence to create explicit deepfake images and videos of women. The charges are among the first brought under the new Take It Down Act, aimed at combating non-consensual AI-generated content.
Authorities identified Cornelius Shannon, 51, and Arturo Hernandez, 20, as the suspects. Both were arrested and accused of distributing explicit AI-generated material that gained millions of online views.
Prosecutors say the two men acted independently but engaged in similar conduct, creating manipulated images of celebrities and private individuals. The content allegedly included altered images of young women, raising serious legal and ethical concerns.
The law was signed by Donald Trump and received bipartisan support. It imposes stricter penalties on those who share deepfake pornography and other forms of non-consensual intimate imagery.
According to officials, Shannon created hundreds of albums featuring manipulated images of public figures. Hernandez allegedly distributed similar content, including images of private individuals, intensifying concerns about misuse of AI technology.
U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella stated the defendants used advanced tools to produce material that “degraded and violated” victims. If convicted, they could face up to two years in prison under the new statute.
The legislation was co-sponsored by Ted Cruz and Amy Klobuchar, both emphasizing the need to protect victims of online abuse. Companies like Meta have also expressed support for stronger regulations.
Officials say the cases highlight growing risks tied to AI misuse. Lawmakers and advocates argue the law is a major step toward accountability, ensuring victims have legal tools to remove harmful content and pursue justice.
