FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Erin Maloney, Communications Director
Office of the State Attorney, 13th Judicial Circuit
(813) 557-3366 | [email protected]
TAMPA, FL (April 29, 2026) — State Attorney Suzy Lopez has announced a first-of-its-kind public safety partnership with Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier to examine the role artificial intelligence may play in criminal activity. This comes after the tragic murders of University of South Florida students Nahida Bristy and Zamil Limon in Tampa.
The Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution will be appointed as part of the local prosecution team- specifically to examine defendant Hisham Aburgharbieh’s interactions with ChatGPT, assess whether those interactions contributed to the commission of crimes, and evaluate any potential legal responsibility of ChatGPT and its developer, OpenAI. The Attorney General has committed two of his Assistant Statewide Prosecutors to this case, along with the full weight of the Attorney General’s Office across all jurisdictional boundaries in Florida.
State Attorney Lopez’s team will zealously prosecute the defendant for all of his crimes, and the Attorney General’s team will determine if artificial intelligence, specifically ChatGPT, is an accomplice to murder. This collaboration will allow both agencies to share evidence, coordinate investigative efforts, and apply their combined expertise as the case moves forward.
“At the center of this case are two young lives that were taken far too soon. We will hold this defendant fully accountable, but our responsibility does not end there. We owe it to these families and our community to follow every lead and examine every factor that may have contributed to this violence. Technology does not stop at our county line. That is why a coordinated, statewide approach matters,” said State Attorney Lopez. “This will let every big technology company know that when you create a product in the pursuit of profit, the full resources of Florida’s prosecutors will join together to protect public safety.”
The Florida Attorney General’s leadership in pursuing the criminal use of artificial intelligence will have far-reaching impacts across the state, nation, and world. Allowing his prosecutors to be part of the team in this Hillsborough County case shows that both agencies are committed to finding truth and justice together. As part of this partnership between the two agencies, the State Attorney will work with Florida’s Attorney General not just on this case, but in all cases where artificial intelligence plays a role in local criminal conduct.
About the State Attorney’s Office
State Attorney Suzy Lopez leads a team of dedicated prosecutors and professional staff responsible for all criminal prosecutions in Hillsborough County, including Tampa, Temple Terrace, and Plant City. Each year, our office handles approximately 50,000 cases and is supported by more than 300 public servants. This includes 130 prosecutors along with investigators, victim advocates, and support personnel who work tirelessly to keep our community safe.
We are committed to aggressively pursuing justice and ensuring those who break the law are held accountable. We also believe it is important for our community to understand how the criminal justice system works and how our efforts inside and outside of the courtroom protect Hillsborough County residents. By sharing the outcomes of court cases and providing context to our decisions, we strive to build public confidence and trust. We believe an informed community is a safer place to live, work, and play. Stay connected with the latest news and updates from our office by following us on social media:
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