Scammers Responsible for Disabled Man’s Tragic Suicide Receive Short Jail Sentences

A South Carolina couple has been sentenced to prison after targeting a mentally disabled Chick-fil-A employee in a scheme that his family claims drove him to take his own life.

Trysten Anthony Cullon, aged 27, received a sentence of three years and five months, while Jade Ashlynn Stone, also 27, was sentenced to two years and three months. The pair were found guilty of cyberstalking and extorting Christopher John Tsoulos.

Tsoulos, a 37-year-old resident of Charlotte, North Carolina, worked as a greeter at a local Chick-fil-A. Despite his mental disability, he was known for his kind-hearted nature.

His family fondly recalled his generosity, noting that one such act of kindness led to his victimization by Cullon and Stone. The couple, both struggling with drug addiction, exploited Tsoulos to fund their habits.

According to court records, the ordeal began on September 5, 2024, when Cullon entered the Chick-fil-A where Tsoulos was employed. The compassionate worker offered Cullon the use of his mobile phone, unknowingly setting the stage for the couple’s malicious scheme.

But Cullon and Stone tried to use the phone to access his bank accounts, and when that failed, they downloaded his contacts and sent his family threatening messages. 

The scammers falsely accused Tsoulos of being a ‘pervert’ who harassed girls in the texts, and threatened to ‘ruin him’ by outing him to his employer if they did not transfer money. 

Tsoulos’ family showed him the disgusting messages. While the accusations were of course false, Tsoulos believed them, and ended his own life. 

Christopher Tsoulos was 37 years old and worked as a host at a Chick-fil-A restaurant in Charlotte, North Carolina. He had intellectual disabilities and relied heavily on support from his immediate family

Trysten Anthony Cullon, 27, was sentenced to federal prison for 41 months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit cyberstalking

Jade Ashlynn Stone, 27, of South Carolina was sentenced to 27 months, according to the US Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina

US District Judge Max O. Cogburn Jr. imposed the relatively short sentences after the pair pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit cyberstalking.

Both must serve three years of supervised release after their prison terms and pay $26,700 in restitution, according to prosecutors.   

They originally faced a maximum of 45 years in prison for charges of wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to commit extortion and conspiracy to commit cyberstalking.

The couple’s scheme lasted just a few days in September 2024 – but prosecutors say the damage was catastrophic.

‘This case is heartbreaking,’ US Attorney Russ Ferguson said after the sentencing. ‘There was not a dry eye in the courtroom at sentencing.’

‘To fuel their drug addiction, Cullon and Stone turned to preying on the most vulnerable among us,’ Ferguson said.

According to court documents, the events began on September 5, 2024, when Cullon walked into the Chick-fil-A restaurant in Charlotte where Tsoulos worked.

Tsoulos, described by prosecutors as a man with a developmental disability who relied heavily on family support, allowed Cullon to briefly use his cellphone.

Because the phone was unlocked, prosecutors said Cullon suddenly had full access to Tsoulos’ financial apps, including Cash App, PayPal and his bank account.

Cullon quickly contacted Stone and told her the situation was ‘urgent,’ before leaving the restaurant and joining her in a car waiting in the parking lot.

Court records show the pair had already created a new Gmail account and a Cash App account earlier that day, indicating the plan was already in motion.

Using Tsoulos’ phone and Apple ID, the pair attempted to transfer money from his accounts, but when those attempts failed, prosecutors say they turned to harassment. 

Tsoulos was remembered in his obituary as ‘a shining light’ whose kindness and compassion touched everyone he met. He worked as a greeter at Chick-Fil-A welcoming customers inside

Over the next three days, the couple launched a barrage of threatening text messages targeting Tsoulos’ family including his brother and mother.

The messages falsely accused him of sexual misconduct and demanded money.

In one message cited in court records, the couple warned a relative: ‘Your son is a pervert and I’m going to let his job and everyone else in his family know that. 

‘Unless you want me to ruin him and embarrass you I suggest you provide some compensation.’

‘He will lose everything,’ they threatened. ‘The things I saw were disgusting and disturbing.’

Prosecutors said the pair demanded $300 through Cash App and threatened to send the allegations to Tsoulos’ employer if the money was not paid.

The perps transferred money from Tsoulos’ PayPal, Cash App and bank account to themselves, labeling the transfers as rent, gas and car payment. 

Other messages accused the victim of harassing girls, visiting brothels and paying women for explicit photos, according to court filings.

The disgusting messages were shown by Tsoulos’ family to him, and despite the claims being completely unfounded, Tsoulos believed them.

He ‘needed oversight and direction in his daily activities,’ according to court records. 

Tsoulos lived with his father, and his mother helped him manage his bank account because ‘he was unable to budget money, count change, or comprehend how much things cost.’

The harassment campaign against him lasted only from September 5-8, 2024, but prosecutors say it pushed the vulnerable victim into overwhelming fear and shame.

Before working at Chick-fil-A, Tsoulos, seen center in the grey, helped run John’s Family Restaurant and was known for welcoming customers with warmth and enthusiasm

The messages sent him into ‘substantial emotional distress’ as he became convinced he would lose his job or be sent to jail.

On September 8, he died by suicide from a gunshot wound outside his Charlotte home, on his front porch. His father found his body the following morning.

Judge Cogburn called the crime especially severe because of its outcome.

‘This is a particularly egregious version of this crime, resulting in a victim killing themselves,’ he said during sentencing.

Federal officials said the pair deliberately targeted Tsoulos to fund their drug addiction.

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

FBI Special Agent in Charge Reid Davis said the cruelty of the scheme stunned investigators.

‘This couple intentionally tormented a young man with intellectual disabilities for personal enrichment,’ Davis said.

‘While Christopher’s life is priceless and his family is forever changed, we hope a federal prison sentence will bring some form of justice and comfort for his loved ones.’

More than 60 friends and family members packed the courtroom for the sentencing, with others waiting outside, according to the Charlotte Observer.

Both defendants apologized, reading handwritten statements while a photograph of Tsoulos sat in front of them.

But the emotional center of the hearing was the victim himself – a man whose life was remembered as defined by kindness.

Michael Tsoulos, Christopher’s father, wrote on Facebook after the sentencing that ‘justice was somewhat served,’ thanking supporters who packed the courtroom and the judge

Assistant US Attorney Caryn Finley told the court how Tsoulos had intellectual disabilities that kept him at roughly a fourth-grade reading level and second-grade math level.

‘He couldn’t understand that he’d not done anything wrong,’ his father John Tsoulos said in a statement read in court.

Those who knew Christopher say the cruelty of the crime stood in painful contrast to the kindhearted man he was.

His obituary describes him as ‘a shining light in the lives of all whom he encountered.’

‘His limitless heart extended compassion and love to everyone he met, creating connections that left lasting impressions,’ the obituary reads.

Before working at Chick-fil-A, Tsoulos spent years helping at John’s Family Restaurant, where he embraced the role of ‘co-owner’ and took pride in making customers feel welcome.

Latterly, his job greeting guests at Chick-fil-A had become a source of joy and purpose. The role reaffirmed his love of service and his natural ability to make people feel appreciated.

His mother Patricia Buckingham told the court that her son had been excited about an upcoming trip to Greece to see relatives and loved to watch baseball players taking part in spring training.

‘He’d run down to get autographs from the players,’ she said. ‘But mentally, he was a little kid. Just like them,’ Buckingham said. 

Tsoulos worked as a host at a Chick-fil-A in Charlotte, where his job greeting customers reflected what his family saw as his natural kindness and love of making people feel welcome

After the sentencing, Tsoulos’ father Michael thanked the many supporters who packed the courtroom.

‘Thank you to everyone who was able to come out to show support for Chris and to those who were there in spirit,’ he wrote on Facebook.

‘Apologies to those who were unable to get into the packed full courtroom, we were supposed to have a bigger room to fit everyone but didn’t get it. They didn’t think it would be as big of a turnout as it was,’ he added.

‘Justice was somewhat served – thank you to the US Attorney General’s team and Judge Cogburn.’