by ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A Florida woman has been charged after allegedly using ChatGPT and artificial intelligence (AI) to fake a crime, including generating a realistic image of a fictional intruder. Authorities say this is the first case of its kind for the St. Petersburg Police Department (SPPD), marking a concerning new use of AI in false reporting.
Woman Reported Fake Intruder and Assault
According to investigators, 32-year-old Brooke Schinault called police on October 7, claiming that an unknown man had broken into her home. When officers arrived, she showed them a picture she said she had taken of the suspect. However, police officers quickly grew suspicious after finding no signs of forced entry or any evidence supporting her claims.
Later, Schinault contacted police a second time, this time alleging that she had been sexually assaulted by the same individual. Officers immediately reopened the case, and this time, detectives noticed something odd about the supposed photo evidence.
“As soon as our detective saw the image, she recognized it as a trend we’ve been seeing online,” said Ashley Limardo, public information specialist for SPPD. “It was AI-generated, not a real person.”
The realization came when a detective familiar with online AI-generated image trends identified the man in the picture as artificially created rather than real. The “suspect” didn’t exist, and the photo had characteristics typical of AI image generation tools.
How the AI Image Was Created
Police said Schinault allegedly used ChatGPT to craft her false evidence. Investigators believe she described the fake suspect and asked the AI system to generate an image showing a man inside her home. Limardo explained that this mimicked a viral TikTok trend, where users upload images of their surroundings and then use AI prompts to insert fictional people into them — usually for entertainment or pranks.
“They’ll take a picture of their home, submit it into a chat, and say, ‘Can you put this person in it?’ Then they describe a male figure and ask for him to appear sitting on their couch,” Limardo said.
While the trend may seem harmless on social media, police emphasized that things take a serious turn when such images are presented as criminal evidence.
“It might be funny online, but when you call it in as a crime, it wastes real resources,” Limardo added. “If officers are responding to a fake scene, that takes attention away from someone who truly needs help.”
Investigation Revealed the Truth
During the investigation, officers recovered the fake photo from a deleted folder on Schinault’s phone. They discovered that she had created the image days before she called 911, confirming that the entire incident had been fabricated.
Authorities determined there was no real suspect, no crime scene, and no assault — only a manipulated image made using AI technology.
Following the discovery, Schinault was arrested and charged with two counts of false reporting of a crime. She was later released on bond and is scheduled to appear in court on December 1.
Police Warn About Misuse of AI
Limardo noted that this is the department’s first known AI-related false report, but she believes it won’t be the last. With AI tools becoming more accessible and sophisticated, law enforcement agencies are now preparing for a future where fake digital evidence could complicate investigations.
“This case shows how emerging technology can be misused — and why police departments need to stay ahead of these digital trends,” Limardo said.
Authorities also pointed out the real-world consequences of filing false reports, especially those involving claims of assault or home invasion. Such reports pull valuable police and emergency resources away from genuine emergencies, creating potential delays that could put others in danger.
Police departments nationwide are being urged to update their training and adopt AI detection methods to identify digital manipulation quickly.
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The Growing Problem of AI-Generated Evidence
Experts say this case reflects a growing concern over AI-generated misinformation. Tools like ChatGPT, DALL·E, and Midjourney can produce convincing text and images — making it increasingly difficult to distinguish real evidence from fake.
While these technologies have legitimate uses in art, research, and automation, they are also being exploited for hoaxes, scams, and false accusations.
Digital forensics experts warn that AI-generated images often contain subtle irregularities — like inconsistent lighting, distorted hands, or blurred backgrounds — that can help trained investigators spot fakes. However, as AI improves, these inconsistencies are becoming harder to detect without specialized software.
Consequences and Public Reminder
Schinault’s arrest serves as a warning about the dangers of misusing AI technology. Filing a false police report is a criminal offense in Florida, punishable by fines and possible jail time.
Police say while social media trends may seem harmless, taking them too far — especially when law enforcement is involved — can have serious legal repercussions.
“There are consequences,” Limardo reiterated. “This is the first time we’ve ever had to deal with something like this, but it probably won’t be the last.”
What are your thoughts on AI being used to fake crimes and evidence? Should there be stricter laws regulating the misuse of AI-generated content? Share your opinions in the comments on race-day-live.com.
