The identity of the first South Australian man charged with creating sexually explicit deepfake images, William Hamish Yeates, 19, has been made public after a court order suppressing his name was lifted.
First Federal Deepfake Charges in South Australia
Mr. Yeates appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday facing eight counts of creating or altering sexual material without consent.
This is a federal offense introduced in 2024 to address deepfake pornography, carrying a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment per count. The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions confirmed this case marks the first prosecution of its kind in South Australia.
Additional Allegations
In addition to the deepfake charges, Mr. Yeates is also charged with 12 counts of using a carriage service in a harassing or offensive way. This offense carries a potential prison term of five years.
Legal Negotiations Underway
Defence lawyer Tim McGrath stated in court that negotiations with the prosecution are underway. An offer acknowledging the alleged conduct in every offense has been presented to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.
Details of Alleged Conduct
Court documents detail allegations that Mr. Yeates, who was 18 at the time, transmitted material on the social media platform X and was responsible for its creation between February 8 and February 13 of the previous year.
It is further alleged that between September 2024 and February 2025, Mr. Yeates used two different X accounts on 12 occasions in a manner considered menacing, harassing, or offensive in relation to the alleged victim.
Next Court Appearance
The matter is scheduled to return to court in April.