A reckless, clout-chasing thrill-seeker who parachuted off an iconic Yosemite cliff and flaunted the stunt on Instagram is now in hot water — after trying to dodge the fallout with a jaw-dropper, claiming the viral video was created by AI.
Federal authorities say Jack Matthew Propeck illegally BASE jumped from Glacier Point inside Yosemite National Park in October, then posted footage of the dangerous leap online, according to court records cited by SFGate and the LA Times.
People.com reported that, according to an affidavit, the footage clearly shows the stunt.
“The video shows an individual running off a cliff (Glacier Point) and free-falling through the air above Yosemite Valley. The video pans to the individual’s face before and as he deploys a parachute,” the affidavit states.
BASE jumping — which involves parachuting from fixed objects like cliffs — is strictly prohibited in Yosemite, where no permits are issued for the extreme sport.
Propeck doesn’t appear to be a first-time daredevil. His Instagram is loaded with videos of past BASE jumps from cliffs and landmarks, making clear the Yosemite leap was far from a one-off.
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Park rangers were alerted after someone tipped them off about the Instagram clip and submitted screenshots showing recognizable features of Yosemite Valley, SFGate reported.
Investigators later matched Propeck’s gear and appearance to other social media posts and tracked his vehicle entering and exiting the park around the time of the stunt, according to the outlet.
When confronted, Propeck allegedly tried to wriggle out of responsibility by claiming artificial intelligence had been used to superimpose his face onto the video — but authorities weren’t buying it.
“There is no evidence to suggest that AI was used to make or alter the video,” the affidavit states.
He has since been charged with a federal petty offense tied to unauthorized parachute use in a national park, People.com reported.
He now faces federal charges that carry up to six months behind bars.