A North Carolina couple has been sentenced to federal prison after prosecutors said they carried out a blackmail and extortion scheme targeting a 37-year-old man with an intellectual disability, which ultimately ended in his death.
According to Law&Crime, Trysten Anthony Cullon and Jade Ashlynn Stone, both 27, were sentenced Thursday by Max O. Cogburn Jr.
Cullon received 41 months in prison. Stone received 27 months. Both pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit cyberstalking.
In addition to prison time, they were ordered to pay $26,699.95 in restitution and will serve three years of supervised release following their sentences.
Targeting Christopher John Tsoulous
Prosecutors said the couple targeted Christopher John Tsoulous, 37, who worked at a Chick-fil-A restaurant and lived with his family.
According to court records, the scheme began on September 4, 2024 when Cullon approached Tsoulous and asked to use his cellphone.
Prosecutors said Cullon used the phone to send text messages to Stone and later met her outside the restaurant.
Earlier that same day, on September 4, the couple had reportedly created new Gmail and Cash App accounts.
Authorities said they gained access to Tsoulous’ financial accounts and attempted to transfer money from his Cash App and PayPal accounts. When those attempts failed, prosecutors said the pair escalated their actions.
Threats and Extortion
According to prosecutors, the couple began sending threatening messages to Tsoulous and his family.
They allegedly accused him of being a pervert and threatened to send those allegations to his employer. The threats included false claims that he paid women for sexual images and engaged in inappropriate conduct with minors. Court documents state the couple demanded $300 through Cash App.
The harassment continued for several days. On September 8, Tsoulous died in front of his Charlotte home after fatally shooting himself.
Legal Consequence
During sentencing, prosecutors outlined what they described as a deliberate harassment campaign designed to intimidate and extract money. Both defendants admitted to conspiracy to commit cyberstalking.
The federal sentences include prison time, restitution payments, and supervised release.
