Laconia police officer AI media incident — Feb 2024

In a landmark legal case, a jury in New Hampshire acquitted 22-year-old Jaxen Cole, who faced charges for allegedly using deepfake technology to manipulate police body camera footage. The trial, which marked the first of its kind in the state, centered on whether the altered recording constituted illegal harassment or protected parody.

What happened

In February 2025, Cole shared an altered version of his own 2024 arrest footage to social media. The original, legally obtained body camera video was modified to make the presiding Laconia police officer appear to praise Cole, request an autograph, and express fear of professional repercussions if the video were released. Posted on Valentine's Day, the video included a caption teasingly asking if the officer wanted to be Cole's valentine.

Upon being notified, the Laconia Police Department launched an investigation into the content. During the trial, the officer involved testified that while the voice in the video sounded like his own, he had never made those statements. The prosecution argued that the video was created with the intent to embarrass, humiliate, or cause reputational harm to the officer, asserting that humorous intent does not preclude criminal liability. Conversely, the defense maintained that the content was clearly satirical, noting that neither the city nor the specific officer was named. The defense emphasized that the use of original footage was a necessary component of the parody. After deliberating for approximately 30 minutes, the jury returned a not guilty verdict. Cole expressed relief following the acquittal, citing the significant financial and mental toll the legal proceedings had placed upon him.