Student confessed vandalism to ChatGPT and got a felony plea deal

Missouri student Ryan Schaefer smashed 17 vehicles and described it to ChatGPT ten minutes later, asking about jail time and whether he could be identified. Police found the chat during a consent phone search; he pleaded guilty to felony property damage and received five years of probation and 200 hours of community service.

• Schaefer damaged 17 vehicles at a Missouri State University parking lot in August 2025
• Ten minutes later he asked ChatGPT about jail time and being identified
• The chatbot advised silence and avoiding an evidence trail, but urged crisis support
• Sentence: five years of probation, 200 hours of community service, 10 p.m. curfew