A South Carolina couple battling drug addiction has been sentenced to federal prison after prosecutors said they cyberstalked and exploited an intellectually disabled man, ultimately driving him to take his own life.
Federal authorities said Trysten Anthony Cullon and Jade Ashlynn Stone, both 27, were sentenced to prison for cyberstalking in connection with a disturbing scheme targeting Christopher Tsoulos, a 27-year-old fast-food worker who lived with his family near Charlotte, North Carolina.
According to court documents, the couple targeted Tsoulos because he was considered “educable mentally disabled,” making him especially vulnerable to manipulation.
In September 2024, prosecutors said Cullon and Stone stole the victim’s phone and transferred money from his accounts into their own. They then allegedly began contacting Tsoulos’ relatives and threatening to spread false allegations about him.
Authorities said the couple falsely accused Tsoulos of sexually harassing young girls and even paid minors to send him explicit photos. They also threatened to share the fabricated claims with his employer.
The harassment and intimidation campaign deeply affected Tsoulos. Prosecutors said the ongoing torment eventually led him to take his own life.
U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson described the case as devastating during the sentencing hearing. “There was not a dry eye in the courtroom,” he said, noting that the pair exploited a vulnerable victim to support their drug addiction.
Reid Davis, special agent in charge of the FBI’s North Carolina Field Office, said the couple deliberately targeted the victim for financial gain.
“This couple intentionally tormented a young man with intellectual disabilities for personal enrichment,” Davis said, adding that while no sentence can restore the life lost, officials hope the prison terms provide some measure of justice for the victim’s family.
Cullon was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison, while Stone received a 27-month sentence. Both are currently in custody and will be transferred to federal facilities to serve their sentences.
