Man arrested after deputies say he posted AI-generated image depicting Lee County sheriff being shot

LEE COUNTY, Fla. (WINK) — A man was arrested on Tuesday after posting an AI-generated image on social media that depicted Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno being shot at by two armed individuals, according to LCSO.

30-year-old Christopher Nimmons Jr. was taken into custody on Tuesday and faces charges of written threats to kill or do bodily injury and violation of a domestic violence injunction.

The arrest followed an LCSO investigation into a threatening social media post.

The investigation began after LCSO received a report about an AI-generated image posted on Instagram. The image showed a sheriff in full uniform, including a white shirt, dark green pants, black tie, collar brass, badge, and full-duty gun belt, running while sustaining an apparent head injury. Two individuals dressed in dark clothing with their faces covered were depicted actively firing weapons at the sheriff.

The image was allegedly posted as a comment under a "UC Breaking News" post regarding the line-of-duty death of LCSO K9 Dundee on Monday. Analytical research indicated the Instagram account may be associated with Nimmons.

An LCSO detective reviewed a previous case from July 3, when deputies responded to Nimmons' address for a well-being check after he sent concerning messages to his family.

Nimmons was located inside a vehicle at Gulf Coast Town Center and placed under a Baker Act. The complainant provided correspondence that included a photograph of Nimmons' face on the Instagram account, which Detective Alejo determined was the same account used to post the AI-generated image.

With the assistance of TNT and the Narcotics Unit, Nimmons was located during a traffic stop and taken into custody.

LCSO said a cell phone was recovered from Nimmons, and a firearm, an M&P Shield, was located in the vehicle.

Based on the content and manner in which the photograph was posted, detectives said they found probable cause to charge Nimmons with a violation of written threats to kill or do bodily injury.

Officers transported Nimmons to the Lee County Jail without incident. He is scheduled to appear in court at the Lee County Justice Center on Nov. 2 at 8:30 a.m.