KENOSHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A Kenosha man is facing charges in what legal experts say is one of the first prosecutions under Wisconsin's new law targeting sexually explicit images created with artificial intelligence.

What may look like an ordinary photo posted online can be transformed into something entirely different with artificial intelligence and in this case, investigators say that technology was allegedly used to target a woman — without her consent.

Investigators say 23-year-old Tristan Preuss used AI to manipulate photos of his ex-girlfriend, making it appear she was nude, then allegedly created multiple social media accounts to distribute those images.

Tristan Press Kenosha County Sheriff's Office

“The law needs to protect against people feeling comforted that their images are not going to be used negatively or being turned into something they’re not,” said Jonathan LaVoy, a lawyer and legal expert.

According to the criminal complaint, Preuss allegedly created four fake social media accounts impersonating his ex-girlfriend, beginning in August of 2025. Investigators say he was “distributing artificial intelligence (AI) nude images and sexually explicit videos of her.”

Preuss now faces 12 felony counts of synthetic intimate representation of an identifiable person.

The case is being charged under Wisconsin Act 34, legislation that passed last October.

“Our legislature passed this new law that basically prohibits people from taking images or likeness usually from Instagram and Facebook and turning them into some type of pornographic image through the use of AI,” said LaVoy.

Investigators also allege Preuss used the fake accounts to offer the images in exchange for money, directing people to a phone number belonging to him.

“Once you share it, disseminate it, attempt to sell it, that’s really where the law gets triggered,” said LaVoy.

Preuss told investigators he did it for “sexual gratification” and claimed he “did not know it was illegal.”

“I expect an explosion in AI-related cases,” said LaVoy.

Preuss will be in court in December.