A Baltimore man took a plea deal and was sentenced to four months in prison Monday after being accused of using AI to impersonate a former high school principal.
In 2024, former Pikesville High School athletic director Dazhon Darien allegedly used AI to create a recording of then-principal Eric Eiswert that included racist and antisemitic comments.
In a court hearing Monday, Darien took an Alford plea, in which he maintained his innocence while recognizing that there is enough evidence to potentially reach a conviction.
Under the plea deal, Darien entered his plea to one charge of disturbing school operations.
He was initially charged with stalking, retaliating against a witness, and theft. Those charges were dropped under the plea deal, according to court officials.
Prosecutors in this case were seeking a six-month sentence, but a judge ultimately sentenced Darien to four months in prison.
Baltimore County Circuit Court Judge Jan Marshall Alexander said he gave Darien grace based on his apology.
“My life was forever changed”
Before Darien was sentenced, he and Eiswert were able to address the court about the ripple effects this case has had in their lives.
“My life was forever changed,” Eiswert said in a prepared statement. “I’m slowly rebuilding my career, but this experience will never leave me.”
Eiswert described how he was labeled as a racist and antisemite because of the audio. He and his family were harassed to the point that a patrol car was posted outside of their home.
Darien tried to show he was taking accountability for his actions to the judge.
“It was never my intention to spread harm,” he said.
Darien said he’s learned how to better handle situations, and that he could’ve left his job at Pikesville to avoid this.
Jasmine Hope, Darien’s public defender, asked for leniency in sentencing, citing Darien’s lack of a criminal record. She also said he “couldn’t anticipate” the consequences.
“AI is such a new, emerging, and scary thing. I think this has been a learning lesson for everyone,” Hope said.
Baltimore County deputy state’s attorney John Cox said he feels Darien’s Alford plea shows he’s not taking full responsibility for what’s happened. He adds that state law needs to adapt to the complexities that this and other potential AI-related cases will bring up.
“We went to the legislature this year to amend the identity theft statute, unfortunately, it didn’t get through,” Cox said. “We will continue to try because what [Darien] did was much more blameworthy than what he was held responsible for.”
Accused of using AI to impersonate a principal
Eiswert told police that he believed the clip was created using AI. He believed Darien was responsible, saying he was “technologically savvy and believed he was familiar with AI.”
During their investigation, police determined that Darien had several work-related issues since he began in July 2023.
The investigation also revealed that Darien had searched for OpenAI tools, which were eventually linked to paid accounts.
An audio analysis conducted by three experts found that the recording had content generated with AI, along with background noises added through human editing.
Experts determine recording was created with AI
Eiswert told police that he believed the clip was created using AI. He believed Darien was responsible, saying he was “technologically savvy and believed he was familiar with AI.”
During their investigation, police determined that Darien had several work-related issues since he began in July 2023.
The investigation also revealed that Darien had searched for OpenAI tools, which were eventually linked to paid accounts.
An audio analysis conducted by three experts found that the recording had content generated with AI, along with background noises added through human editing.
Dazhon Darien charged with child pornography
Following his initial arrest, Darien was also charged with child pornography and exploitation, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
According to court documents, Darien coerced a boy to engage in sexually explicit conduct and create abusive material. He allegedly coerced two other minors to engage in sexual conduct.
A search of Darien’s phone revealed child sex abuse material, according to prosecutors.
Cox is confident Darien will face a tougher sentence in this case.
“We know that he’s going to be facing much more responsibility for some of the other evidence we were able to obtain as a result of this investigation through the federal court system,” he said.
Darien’s original trial for impersonating former principal Eiswert was postponed after he was arrested on these federal charges.
Former principal files lawsuit over AI impersonation
In January 2025, former principal Eiswert filed a lawsuit against the Baltimore County school district and Darien over the false AI recording.
The lawsuit alleges that Darien conspired with other school employees.
Brian Cathell, one of Eiswert’s attorneys, said they’re hopeful for justice in this lawsuit.
“We’re also confident that the civil justice system will hold Mr. Darien, the school system, and other individuals involved accountable,” Cathell said. “Not only to Mr. Eiswert, but also to the thousands of students, teachers and administrators that rely on BCPS to provide a safe learning environment.”
After Eiswert was suspended for the racist comments, he resigned from his job. His lawsuit alleges that the district removed him from his position despite knowing the recording was fake.
According to Eiswert’s lawsuit, the district did not defend him when it was proven that the recording was created through AI.
The lawsuit also accuses the district of negligence in its hiring of Darien.
