Joseph Strange, 46, of Holly, Michigan and a former employee of Marshall Mathers, AKA Eminem, was charged in a criminal complaint with criminal infringement of a copyright and interstate transportation of stolen goods in connection with the sale of unreleased music created by Eminem, announced Acting United States Attorney Julie Beck.

Beck was joined in the announcement by Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Detroit Field Office (Michigan).

According to the criminal complaint, on or about January 16, 2025, the FBI was contacted by employees of Mathers’s music studio in Ferndale, Michigan who recently discovered unreleased music created by Mathers that was available on the internet. This music was still in the process of being developed by Mathers. The employees obtained an image of a list of the music that Mathers had created, but not released, and was for sale through various internet sites. The employees recognized this as an image taken directly from a hard drive in the Ferndale studio. The FBI was able to identify and locate multiple individuals that purchased the unreleased music. These individuals identified Joseph Strange as the person who was selling the music. Strange was an employee of Marshall Mathers from approximately 2007 until 2021.

“Protecting intellectual property from thieves is critical in safeguarding the exclusive rights of creators and protecting their original work from reproduction and distribution by individuals who seek to profit from the creative output of others,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Beck.

“This investigation underscores the FBI’s commitment to safeguarding artists’ intellectual property from exploitation by individuals seeking to profit illegally,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “Thanks to the cooperation of Mathers Music Studio, FBI agents from the Oakland County Resident Agency were able to swiftly enforce federal laws and ensure Joseph Strange was held accountable for his actions.”

If convicted on the charge of criminal infringement of a copyright, Strange faces a statutory maximum penalty of 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. A conviction on of the charge of interstate transportation of stolen goods, carries a statutory maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison.

A complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Trial cannot be held on felony charges in a complaint. When the investigation is completed, a determination will be made whether to seek a felony indictment.

This case is being investigated by special agents of the FBI Oakland County Resident Agency and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Timothy Wyse and Alyse Wu.

S: U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Michigan