A Florida nurse endured two separate stints in jail after her former boyfriend allegedly used fabricated, AI-generated text messages to falsely accuse her of domestic violence and bond violations.
A Relationship Turned Sour Leads to Arrest
Melissa Mullin Sims, 57, found herself in a Collier County jail in November 2024 following a bitter split from her partner. The couple, who had moved to Naples, Florida from Pennsylvania, had been together for about a year. After the acrimonious breakup, Sims alleges her ex ransacked her condo, stole her belongings, and refused to leave, prompting her to call the police.
However, the situation dramatically reversed when officers arrived. Sims claims her ex-boyfriend had scratched and slapped himself during their argument, leading to her immediate arrest for battery. She spent a night in jail and was issued a restraining order, barring her from contacting her accuser.
A Second Arrest Based on Alleged AI Fabrications
Months later, police arrested Sims again, this time for allegedly violating her bond by sending a harassing text message on Christmas Day 2024. The message, which read "Haha you a**! The cops won't arrest a woman on Xmas, but nice try, you piece of s***," was purportedly sent after both were at the Naples Pickleball Centre.
Sims vehemently denied sending it. Witnesses confirmed she had arrived at the venue hours before her ex and had not spoken to him. Crucially, subpoenaed phone records proved the incriminating text never existed. Sims and her legal team assert the message was a complete fabrication, likely created using artificial intelligence by her former partner to incriminate her further.
Life Upended and a Fight for Legal Change
The repercussions for Sims were severe. She lost her part-time job at the pickleball centre, was unable to work as a nurse, and was barred from her own home for 19 days. She estimates the ordeal cost her at least $100,000.
Prosecutors eventually dropped the bond violation charge in early 2025. In December 2025, she was fully acquitted of the original battery charge. Now free from the legal battle, Sims is channelling her experience into advocacy.
She is campaigning for Florida lawmakers to pass 'Melissa's Law,' legislation aimed at strengthening protections for victims and preventing the misuse of digital and AI-generated evidence in court. "Right now, the law has not caught up with the technology—and law-abiding citizens are the ones paying the price," she warned, highlighting the dangers of AI when wielded maliciously without proper legal safeguards.
