Two Men Charged with Creating AI-Generated Nudes That Garnered Millions of Views Online

(SeaPRwire) –   Federal prosecutors have charged two men with producing nude videos and images of female celebrities using artificial intelligence, in violation of a recently passed law aimed at curbing the spread of deepfake pornography.

Cornelius Shannon, 51, and Arturo Hernandez, 20, were both taken into custody on Tuesday for creating sexually explicit AI-generated content that garnered millions of online views, according to court documents.

The two individuals—who appear to have acted independently—are among the first to be prosecuted under the Take It Down Act, legislation signed into law last year by President Donald Trump that imposes harsher penalties for distributing AI-generated deepfakes and “revenge porn.” The bill received bipartisan support and was publicly endorsed by First Lady Melania Trump.

Under the statute, each defendant now faces up to two years in prison.

Legal representatives for Shannon and Hernandez did not immediately reply to requests for comment.

In a public statement, Joseph Nocella, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, stated that the men “used advanced digital tools to generate content that demeaned and violated” numerous women. “This case underscores that sharing deepfake pornography is not a victimless offense,” he said.

According to the complaint, Shannon, a New Jersey resident, uploaded at least 240 collections of AI-generated pornographic material featuring female politicians, musicians, and singers.

Prosecutors allege that Hernandez, from Texas, created deepfakes not only of celebrities but also of private individuals, including recent high school graduates.

The arrests reflect growing concern over the proliferation of realistic, sexually explicit AI-generated imagery, particularly those involving minors, as generative AI technology becomes more advanced and accessible.

Last month, an Ohio man became the first individual convicted under the Take It Down Act after pleading guilty to using AI to produce child sexual abuse material.

In March, two teenage boys were sentenced to probation for generating explicit AI images of fellow students at a prestigious private school in Pennsylvania.

In another case filed earlier this year, three Tennessee teenagers sued Elon Musk’s xAI, alleging that its Grok platform transformed their authentic photos into sexually explicit images.

The plaintiffs, all high schoolers, are seeking class-action certification to represent what the lawsuit claims are thousands of other minors similarly harmed.