PIKESVILLE, MD—An athletic director with Baltimore County Public Schools has been charged after using officials say he used artificial intelligence to fake a high school principal’s voice in a retaliatory recording.

On Thursday, April 25, 31-year-old Dazhon Darien was arrested on charges of stalking, theft, disruption of school operations, and retaliation against a witness. The charges stem from an investigation detectives with the Baltimore County Police Department launched on January 17, 2024, in reference to a racist rant that was being circulated on social media. At the time, it was alleged that the voice on the audio file was that of Pikesville High School Principal Eric Eiswert.

Based on an extensive investigation, detectives now have conclusive evidence indicating that the recording was not authentic. As part of their investigation, detectives requested a forensic analyst contracted with the FBI to analyze the recording. The results from that analysis indicated that the recording contained traces of AI-generated content. Following that finding, detectives obtained a second opinion from a forensic analyst with the University of California, Berkley who also determined the recording was not authentic. Based on that information and further investigation, it has been determined the recording was generated through the use of AI technology.

Detectives now believe that Darien, who was an Athletic Director at Pikesville High School, made the recording to retaliate against Eiswert, who at the time was pursuing an investigation into the potential mishandling of school funds.

Darien now faces several charges including theft, stalking, disruption of school operations, and retaliation against a witness. Following a court appearance on Thursday afternoon, Darien was released on a $5,000 unsecured bond.

View Thursday’s press conference on the case below.