Joseph Strange, 48, admitted to illegally copying and selling unreleased recordings by rapper Eminem. The stolen files were accessed more than 8 million times on streaming platforms, with copyright infringement losses estimated at least $750,000, according to federal prosecutors.
A former employee of Eminem has pleaded guilty to criminal copyright infringement after selling unreleased music by the Grammy-winning rapper without authorization, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Thursday, October 22.
Joseph Strange, 48, of Holly, Michigan, admitted to his role in copying and selling recordings created by Marshall Mathers, professionally known as Eminem. The music was taken from password-protected hard drives at a studio in Ferndale, Michigan, where Strange had worked for the artist.
According to court documents, Strange was employed by Mathers from approximately 2007 until 2021. His responsibilities included helping establish and operate a computer system used to store music being developed for possible future release.
During his employment, Strange had access to password-protected drives containing unreleased recordings and material still in development. Prosecutors said he copied at least 10 audio files without authorization and later sold and transmitted the files to buyers over the internet.
Between July and August 2024, Strange sold the recordings for approximately $50,000, without Eminem’s knowledge or permission.
More Than 8 Million Unauthorized Streams
The recordings eventually appeared online and became available through public streaming platforms without Eminem’s consent.
According to the Justice Department, data provided by several streaming services showed that the infringing audio files identified by investigators had been accessed more than 8 million times as of November 2025.
Federal authorities estimate that the copyright infringement involved losses of at least $750,000.
Prosecutors noted that the material had not necessarily been scheduled for commercial release. However, professional work had been undertaken to prepare some recordings for potential distribution, including studio mastering.
The unauthorized release therefore involved material that Eminem and his team had not yet decided to make public.
Justice Department Condemns Abuse of Trust
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division said Strange had abused a position of trust by copying and selling music that was not authorized for public distribution.
“His conduct undermined both legal and artistic rights,” Duva said, emphasizing the department’s commitment to protecting intellectual property and holding accountable people who profit from stolen creative work.
U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. for the Eastern District of Michigan also stressed the importance of protecting intellectual property rights.
FBI Detroit Field Office Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Runyan said the guilty plea reinforced the principle that people who compromise another artist’s creative work must be held accountable.
The FBI investigated the case with assistance from its Oakland County Resident Agency and cooperation from Mathers Music Studio.
Strange Faces Up to Five Years in Prison
Strange pleaded guilty to criminal infringement of a copyright in federal court in the Eastern District of Michigan.
He is scheduled to be sentenced on January 27, 2027, and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
A federal judge will determine the final sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case was prosecuted by the Justice Department’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, together with prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan.
The guilty plea closes a significant chapter in the investigation into the unauthorized distribution of Eminem’s unreleased recordings, while the sentencing decision remains pending.
