A couple in North Carolina has been sentenced to federal prison for a harassment scheme that targeted an intellectually disabled Chick-fil-A worker and contributed to his suicide. Trysten Anthony Cullon and Jade Ashlynn Stone pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit cyberstalking. The brief but intense extortion effort began in September 2024 and ended tragically days later.
In Charlotte, North Carolina, Trysten Anthony Cullon, 27, and Jade Ashlynn Stone, 27, targeted Christopher John Tsoulos, a 37-year-old man with an intellectual disability who worked as a greeter at a local Chick-fil-A. The scheme unfolded over a few days in early September 2024, starting on September 5 when Cullon approached Tsoulos at the restaurant around 4:52 p.m. Tsoulos allowed Cullon to use his unlocked cellphone, which the pair then exploited to access financial applications including Cash App, PayPal, and Tsoulos's bank account.
Earlier that day, Cullon and Stone had set up a new Gmail address and Cash App account as part of their plan. After failing to transfer funds, they escalated by sending threatening messages from the stolen phone to Tsoulos's family and associates. One message to a relative read: "Your son is a pervert and I'm going to let his job and everyone else in his family know that." It continued: "Unless you want me to ruin him and embarrass you I suggest you provide some compensation."
The demands included $300 via Cash App, with threats to inform Tsoulos's employer of false allegations such as harassing girls, visiting brothels, paying for sexual images, and engaging in sexual activity with minors. The harassment lasted from September 5 to September 8, 2024. On September 8, Tsoulos shot himself on the front steps of his home; his father discovered the body the next morning.
U.S. District Judge Max O. Cogburn, Jr. sentenced Cullon to 41 months and Stone to 27 months in prison after their guilty pleas. Both face three years of supervised release and must pay $26,699.65 in restitution. FBI Special Agent in Charge Reid Davis stated, "This couple intentionally tormented a young man with intellectual disabilities for personal enrichment." U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson noted the emotional toll, saying, "There was not a dry eye in the courtroom," and described the defendants as exploiting the vulnerable to fuel their drug addiction.
More than 60 friends and family attended the sentencing, with others outside. An obituary described Tsoulos as a "shining light" who brought compassion to his roles at John's Family Restaurant and Chick-fil-A.