A North Carolina couple, who admitted to exploiting a vulnerable man with an intellectual disability in a blackmail and extortion plot that tragically led to his suicide, has been sentenced to federal prison terms.

On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Max O. Cogburn, Jr. sentenced Trysten Anthony Cullon and Jade Ashlynn Stone, both aged 27. Cullon received a 41-month prison sentence, while Stone was sentenced to 27 months. These sentences came after the couple pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit cyberstalking, as announced by authorities.

The prosecution revealed that the pair conducted a brief but devastating harassment campaign against Christopher John Tsoulos, a 37-year-old man from Charlotte who had an intellectual disability and was dependent on his family’s support.

“This couple deliberately tormented a young man with intellectual disabilities for their own gain,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Reid Davis. “Although Christopher’s life is invaluable and his family’s loss is immeasurable, we hope that a federal prison sentence offers some sense of justice and solace to his loved ones.”

Court documents detail that the malicious scheme commenced on September 5, 2024, when Cullon approached Tsoulos during his shift at a Chick-fil-A in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Around 4:52 p.m., Tsoulos allowed Cullon to use his cellphone. Shortly thereafter, Cullon used the phone to send urgent messages to Stone, asking her to pick him up. With the phone still in hand, Cullon exited the restaurant and headed to the vehicle where Stone awaited in the parking lot.

Court records say the two had already created a new Gmail address and a Cash App account earlier that day as part of their plan.

Because the phone was unlocked, Cullon and Stone had “unfettered access to the financial applications on the phone, including mobile payment apps and Christopher’s bank account,” prosecutors said in a news release. The defendants used Tsoulos’ phone and Apple ID to attempt unauthorized transfers from his financial accounts, including Cash App, PayPal, and his bank account.

When those attempts failed, prosecutors say the pair escalated the scheme.

Using the stolen phone, the defendants began sending threatening messages to Tsoulos’ family members and associates, accusing him of being a “pervert” and threatening to spread humiliating allegations to his employer.

In one message sent to a relative, the sender warned:

“Your son is a pervert and I’m going to let his job and everyone else in his family know that.”

The message continued:

“Unless you want me to ruin him and embarrass you I suggest you provide some compensation.”

According to court filings, the defendants demanded $300 through Cash App and threatened to send the allegations to Tsoulos’ employer if the money was not paid.

Additional messages threatened to accuse the victim of “harassing girls,” visiting brothels, paying women for sexual images, and engaging in sexual activity with minors.

Federal prosecutors say the harassment campaign lasted just a few days — from Sept. 5 through Sept. 8, 2024 — but had devastating consequences.

On Sept. 8, Tsoulos shot and killed himself on the front steps of his Charlotte home. His father found his body the following morning.

Authorities said the cyberstalking scheme “drove him to suicide,” leaving his family devastated.

U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson said the case left a profound impact on those involved in the proceedings.

“There was not a dry eye in the courtroom,” he said in a statement following the sentencing.

Federal officials also described the defendants as exploiting a vulnerable victim for financial gain to “fuel their drug addiction.”

“Cullon and Stone turned to preying on the most vulnerable among us,” Ferguson said.

In addition to their prison sentences, both defendants were ordered to serve three years of supervised release and pay $26,699.65 in restitution, prosecutors said.

The Charlotte Observer reported that more than 60 of Tsoulos’ friends and family members were in the courtroom Thursday as even more waited outside.

“Chris was a shining light in the lives of all whom he encountered,” an online obituary for the victim states. “His limitless heart extended compassion and love to everyone he met, creating connections that left lasting impressions. As the ‘co-owner’ of John’s Family Restaurant for many years, he poured his energy into creating joyful dining experiences, always considering the happiness of others first. More recently, he embraced his role as a host at Chick-fil-A, an opportunity that reaffirmed his devotion to service and his natural flair for making others feel welcomed and cherished.”