Commerce Township Man Pleads Guilty to Using AI-Generated Sexual Images to Cyberstalk Social Media Influencer

DETROIT, MICHIGAN — A Commerce Township man has pleaded guilty in federal court after admitting to using artificial intelligence–generated sexually explicit images to harass, intimidate, and extort a social media influencer in a targeted cyberstalking campaign.

Joshua Stilman, 37, entered a guilty plea to one count of cyberstalking, stemming from conduct that occurred between February and March 2025, according to federal court records. The case was handled in the Eastern District of Michigan.

Use of AI-Generated Explicit Images

Investigators determined that Stilman used publicly available images of the victim — identified in court documents as Victim-1 — to generate AI-fabricated nude and sexually graphic images depicting her. The images were not authentic photographs but were designed to appear realistic enough to cause reputational harm.

Federal authorities stated that Stilman contacted the victim through private social media messages, where he repeatedly questioned her about sexual preferences and made explicit and threatening remarks. Over time, the communications escalated.

Threats and Coercion

According to the plea, Stilman explicitly threatened to release the fabricated images to the victim’s audience of nearly 100,000 followers if she did not continue engaging with him. The threat leveraged both the realism of AI-generated imagery and the scale of the victim’s online presence to exert pressure and maintain control.

The conduct formed the basis of the cyberstalking charge, which criminalizes the use of electronic communications to harass, intimidate, or place another person in fear of serious harm.

Legal Exposure and Sentencing

Cyberstalking under federal law carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Stilman is scheduled to be sentenced on May 21, 2026. The court will consider sentencing guidelines, the nature of the threats, and the role of emerging technology in the offense.

Broader Context: AI-Enabled Abuse

The case highlights a growing enforcement focus on AI-assisted harassment, particularly the use of synthetic imagery to threaten reputational harm. While the images involved were not real, courts increasingly recognize that AI-generated sexual content can produce real-world psychological, professional, and safety consequences, especially when paired with coercion or extortion.

Law enforcement officials have noted that such cases blur traditional distinctions between digital fabrication and physical harm, as the impact on victims can be immediate and severe regardless of the images’ authenticity.

Investigation and Prosecution

The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Oakland County Resident Agency, with prosecution handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan. No additional defendants have been identified in connection with the case.

Stilman remains subject to federal court supervision pending sentencing.

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

🔥 NOW AVAILABLE! 🔥

‎👉 Eclipsera – Apple Music

---

---

---

---

---