FBI arrests Michigan man for AI deepfake extortion threats on social media

The FBI has arrested 36-year-old Joshua Justin Stilman of Commerce Township, Michigan, on federal charges of cyberstalking and interstate threats to extort, alleging he used AI-generated nude images to harass and threaten women on social media. The case represents one of the first high-profile federal prosecutions involving AI-generated pornographic content used as a weapon for digital harassment and extortion.

What you should know: Federal agents conducted a dramatic arrest at Stilman’s West Commerce Road home, with neighbors reporting they witnessed agents with weapons and shields forcing entry.

• Stilman allegedly used Instagram accounts “friendblender” and “thisDIYguy” to send AI-generated nude and pornographic images to women, then threatened to post them online if victims didn’t respond to his messages.
• The criminal complaint details escalating threats against a social media influencer who initially tried to defuse his messages with humor before the correspondence became vulgar and threatening.

What they’re saying: The complaint includes disturbing direct quotes from Stilman’s alleged messages to victims.

• “Can you play along though?” “Easiest way to get rid of me lol.”
• “You weren’t responding.” “I’m gonna expletive you one day. And I’ve got an expletive, so I’ll expletive deep.”
• “I wish you’d respond to some of my questions. I really don’t want to resort to posting things online. I have much more than you’ve seen.”

Impact on victims: The harassment campaign had severe real-world consequences for at least one victim.

• The targeted influencer became so concerned about her family’s safety that she removed personal information from her public website and began carrying a weapon.
• She documented the harassment by taking screenshots and screen recordings of the threatening messages.
• According to the complaint, one victim has been in contact with other women Stilman allegedly threatened, with incidents reportedly dating back to 2019 or 2020.

The investigation: FBI Detroit worked with FBI Portland to identify Stilman, whose criminal history includes recent legal troubles.

• Court records show he has a bench warrant out of Romulus for a traffic misdemeanor.
• He was the subject of a mental health call in Livonia in April 2024.
• The complaint also alleges he threatened another woman by posting pornographic videos online without her consent.

Expert advice: Cybersecurity professionals emphasize the importance of reporting these AI-enabled harassment campaigns rather than engaging with perpetrators.

• “The old way seemed to be more of a broad-based attack, if you will. A broad-based phishing. Now we’re seeing that real spear-phishing where they’re going after certain individuals, especially if they find them attractive or if they’re an influencer,” said Matt Loria, CEO of Auxiom, a cybersecurity company.
• “And definitely report it. I mean, you have to report these types of incidents or they don’t get dealt with.”

In plain English: Traditional online scams cast a wide net to catch many victims at once, like spam emails sent to thousands of people. Today’s AI-powered harassment is more like a sniper’s approach—targeting specific individuals with personalized, convincing fake content designed to manipulate or extort them.