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A 26-year-old bartender from Essex has been sentenced to five years in prison after creating and sharing deepfake pornography of women he knew. Brandon Tyler, from Braintree, was convicted at Chelmsford Crown Court in one of the UK’s first prosecutions under a law that made explicit deepfake imagery a criminal offense in England and Wales in April 2024.

Tyler used artificial intelligence to manipulate images of 20 women, many of whom he knew personally, and shared them on an online forum that glorified sexual violence.

He admitted to 18 counts of stalking or harassment without violence and 15 counts of sharing intimate photos for sexual gratification.

“There is perhaps no greater example of [toxic masculinity] than your humiliating and degrading conduct to the victims in this case,” said Judge Alexander Mills during sentencing.

His attorney Michael Edmonds apologized for his client claiming, “This is not a man who has offended in any way, shape, or form before. It is just bizarre that he did it." He insisted that Tyler was a troubled person, but not an “incel” or misogynist.

https://usaherald.com/deepfake-content-2024-the-ethical-minefield-risks-and-legal-frontiers/

AI Images Created Deepfake Pornography

Tyler used his alias “Cumhoney88” to post explicit AI-generated content of his victims. The manipulated images were often altered to depict the women fully nude, some with graphic additions such as digitally added semen.

In one case, a bikini image from Instagram was edited to appear nude. Another disturbing incident involved altering a prom photo of a 16-year-old girl.

Prosecutor Emily Farrelly told the court, “The defendant clearly planned his behavior, trawling across social media accounts and editing the images as he wished.” Tyler also posted the women’s names, phone numbers, and social media handles, exposing them to ongoing harassment.

“The defendant clearly intended to maximize distress and humiliation for the victims,” Farrelly said.

Victims Were Harassed and Threatened

Two victims delivered emotional statements in court, recounting the lasting trauma they endured.

One victim said she received anonymous sexual messages and phone calls, which ultimately caused a breakup with her partner.

Another testified, “I have and still do feel completely violated by what Brandon did to me. I feel mortified and disgusted.”

One of Tyler’s posts even included a poll asking users, “Which one deserves to be gang raped?”

Judge Mills remarked, “The posts read like an advertising poster for the worst kind of toxic masculinity,” noting Tyler’s deliberate intent to degrade and humiliate his victims.

Tyler was identified after he accidentally included his own Instagram handle in a screenshot of one of the victim’s social media accounts.

Despite his actions, his defense claimed he had no prior criminal history and has struggled with porn addiction since youth.

Relevant Links 

• BBC News: Brandon Tyler Sentenced
• Court Case Record – The Law Pages