A California man charged with illegal BASE jumping in Yosemite National Park claims artificial intelligence was used to superimpose his face onto footage of the jump, but federal investigators say vehicle tracking data and eyewitness accounts contradict his story.
A California man is facing federal charges after allegedly BASE jumping from Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park during last year's government shutdown, claiming the incriminating video was created using artificial intelligence.
Jack Propeck, of Mission Viejo, has been charged with one count of delivering or retrieving a person or object by parachute, helicopter or other airborne means, according to a criminal complaint filed December 12 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California. The charge stems from an October 8 incident that was captured on video and posted to Instagram.
The Investigation
The case began when someone reported to the National Park Service tip line an Instagram video showing a man making the jump from Glacier Point. The video, posted to an account bearing Propeck's name, allegedly pans to the man's face as he deploys his parachute.
Federal investigators say they have substantial evidence linking Propeck to the jump. Vehicle-tracking data shows Propeck's car entering Yosemite National Park on October 7 and leaving on October 8. Photos obtained by investigators reportedly show Propeck behind the wheel wearing the same purple mirrored sunglasses seen in the Instagram video.
When confronted by a park ranger, Propeck denied being the man in the video, claiming he had used artificial intelligence to superimpose his face onto footage of someone else's jump, according to the criminal complaint.
BASE Jumping in National Parks
BASE jumping is an extreme sport involving parachute-assisted leaps from fixed objects such as cliffs, buildings, antennas, spans, and earth formations. The activity is illegal in national parks due to safety concerns for both participants and first responders.
During the 43-day government shutdown that stretched from October 1 to November 12, multiple reports emerged of people engaging in the thrill-seeking activity in Yosemite. At least one other person was charged with allegedly BASE jumping in Yosemite near El Capitan on October 29, after visitors reported the activity to rangers.
Legal Proceedings
Propeck is representing himself in the case and did not respond to a message seeking comment. He is next due in court April 7 for arraignment.
The National Park Service has stated that it takes allegations of illegal activity seriously and will investigate and prosecute to the fullest extent of the law. Scott Carr, spokesperson for Yosemite National Park, emphasized the dangers of such activities.
"Engaging in such illegal activities endangers both visitors and National Park Service first responders," Carr said in a statement. "Yosemite's grandeur is a treasure that everyone should experience responsibly."
AI Claims in Legal Context
Propeck's claim that AI was used to create the video raises interesting questions about the intersection of artificial intelligence technology and criminal investigations. While deepfake technology has advanced significantly in recent years, federal investigators appear confident in their evidence linking Propeck to the actual jump.
The case highlights the challenges law enforcement faces as AI-generated content becomes more sophisticated and accessible. However, the combination of vehicle tracking data, photographic evidence, and eyewitness accounts appears to have provided investigators with a robust case against Propeck, regardless of his AI claims.
The outcome of this case could have implications for how courts evaluate AI-related defenses in situations where physical evidence and digital forensics can corroborate or contradict claims about synthetic media creation.
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