Source: 6abc

6abc reports on a disturbing investigation released on January 8, 2026, concerning Melissa Sims, a woman who alleges she was wrongfully incarcerated in Florida due to AI-generated evidence. Sims claims her ex-boyfriend used artificial intelligence to create fake text messages that appeared to be from her, which were then presented to authorities as evidence of a crime. The investigation highlights a critical failure in the judicial process, noting that "no one verified the evidence" before Sims was arrested and spent two days in a general population jail cell, an experience she described as horrific.

This case exemplifies the growing threat of AI deepfakes entering the legal system and the potential for them to be weaponized in personal disputes. The report underscores the lack of adequate forensic verification tools or protocols by local law enforcement to distinguish between authentic and AI-generated communications. Legal experts warn that without stricter authentication standards for digital evidence, the integrity of criminal proceedings is at risk, leading to wrongful arrests and violations of civil liberties based on fabricated digital footprints.