In a groundbreaking case, Dhazon Darien, a 31-year-old athletic director from a Maryland school, was apprehended at BWI-Marshall Airport.
His arrest followed allegations of creating and disseminating an artificial intelligence-generated impersonation of Pikesville High School's principal, which falsely depicted the principal as racist. Darien now faces multiple charges, including stalking, theft, disruption of school operations, and retaliation against a witness.
The investigation was initiated in January when an audio recording, purportedly of school principal Eric Eiswert, began circulating. The Baltimore Sun reported that the school received numerous phone calls and social media messages concerning the recording, leading to Eiswert's temporary removal from his position.
The contentious recording, which can be accessed here, contained the following statements: "You know, I seriously don't understand why I have to constantly put up with these dumbasses here every day," and "Between these ungrateful black kids who can't test their way out of a paper bag, or these teachers who don't get it, how hard is it to get these students to meet their grade level expectations?" The recording further criticized the faculty and ended with a derogatory comment about the Jewish community.
Law enforcement authorities have confirmed that Darien was responsible for creating and disseminating the recordings. They believe his actions were an attempt to retaliate against Eiswert, who was investigating Darien's alleged misappropriation of school funds. Eiswert had previously expressed suspicions that Darien was behind the deepfake.
Following the release of the recording, prominent Black Lives Matter activist Deray McKesson, who had been a student of Eiswert's, called for his immediate dismissal. McKesson was among many who were deceived by the hoax.
Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger described the case as unprecedented. He emphasized the importance of examining the broader implications of how technology can be exploited to harm others, despite the charge of disrupting school activities carrying a mere six-month sentence.
Darien was subsequently released on a $5,000 bond. This case serves as a stark reminder of the potential misuse of advanced technology and its far-reaching consequences.
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